Week 15 Review

For the week 15 Review, I chose the video with the song Fly to Paradise. No matter what, I am always going to be drawn to music, which is why this is one of my favorite announcements. There is something about music that makes me happy. It doesn't matter what kind of mood I'm in or what I'm feeling that particular minute or day. Plus, there is always so much music out there to listen to. It can make you feel however you want it to.

Fly to Paradise by Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir

(Source: YouTube)

This is my first time posting for my Famous Last Words and since this is my last week for this class it actually fits perfectly. However, since it is the last week for this class, there were not any readings for me to read. So instead, I decided to do some reading on my own. I have loved reading for as long as I can remember. It’s important or me to set aside time in my weeks to be able to go somewhere quiet and read one of my books. My favorite books to read for fun are the Harry Potter series. I’ve read the entire series all the way through at least five times. It just never gets old to me.  Every time I read the books I have questions forming in my head and I try to think about different ways the author might have written it. Before this class, I would never have questioned J.K. Rowling.

Harry Potter Books

(Source: Wikipedia)

            I’ve said in previous blogs that I do not consider myself a writer and usually have a problem with the words flowing and completing the amount of words needed for the assignment. This class, however, helped get me over the hump of those troubles. I find it easier to write and not second-guess what I’m about to write. Just putting my thoughts on paper immediately definitely helped in the class along with my other classes, especially my final paper for capstone.

            What I enjoyed most about this class was reading other people’s stories. It was incredible to see their creativity and ideas. Seeing their work actually helped me in mine. It made me pay more attention to detail and to give more detail in my own writing. I also found that everyone has their own style and through the weeks, their styles advanced and grew. I even noticed it in my own writing. I wish I could go back and add more but I know I have learned a lot.

Google Timer Tech Tip

This is my first time doing a tech tip for this class and I thought it was great! I had no idea that Google had a timer, but I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Google has everything!!! I used the Google Timer for my Pomodoro Resource Learning Challenge. It worked like a charm. It was so easy to navigate and to use. Like you said, you just had to type it into Google and there it was. The timer went off and my computer made a noise. I know I will definitely be using this timer in the future, especially, when I don't want to use my phone since I know it will distract me.

Google image

(Source: Wikipedia)

Learning Challenge - Trying the Pomodoro Technique

I decided to try the Pomodoro Technique for my last Learning Challenge. I chose it mainly because I had final assignments due in my other classes and thought it would be the perfect thing. I think I have actually seen one of the tomato timers a long time ago, but I was completely clueless as to its use. So, although I didn't have a tomato timer to use, I used the Google Timer.

Tomato Timer

(Source: Wikipedia)

While doing this strategy on one of my assignments, I realized I was more focused. I was more focused because I knew I was actually on a timer. Plus, I knew I would get a break in 25 minutes. I only took a 3-5 minute break which was really all I needed to begin again. After my break, I actually looked forward to getting back to my work. Using the 25 minutes as a slight teaser to me made me want to get back and actually finish my homework. This strategy is one I know I will be using in the future and tell other people about.

Growth Mindset - You Are Capable

For this assignment, I decided to do a Growth Mindset Challenge. I have only done one of these several weeks ago; however, looking at it now, I wish I had done more earlier on.

Meme inspired by Carol Dweck

(Source: Blogspot)

I think we sometimes put limits on ourselves without realizing it. We truly are capable of so much more than we think possible. The problem is we don't allow ourselves to stretch that imaginary rubber band of possibilities. In the Meme it shows a cat taking a picture of itself. I think this symbolizes how we look at ourselves and how others look at us. I think if we can allow ourselves to look through a different lens and get a glance at our life, then we could better understand that.

I think these challenges are always going to be helpful. The more that we learn about ourselves and what we can do, the better off we will be later on down the road. We don't give ourselves enough credit!

Reading

Throughout the class I was able to read a ton of different stories. My favorite part was being able to read stories that I haven’t read since I was a child. As an adult I read those same stories but with a different outlook. The stories I enjoyed most were the ones related to Disney movies I have watched. I loved being able to compare and contrast the two.

What I found most helpful for the reading diary assignments was to read through all of the stories and then pick my favorites. It worked better for me to figure out the overall plot of the story first and find out the important parts of each. Then I found it helpful to hone in on a particular character and put them center-stage. These things helped when I did the storytelling assignment.

I thought the balance between the three was a little off. I thought there was definitely more writing than reading. However, I thought all of the writing has helped me in my other classes. My writing flows better and it’s easier for me to write on any topic.

My best advice for future students would be to not wait to the last second! I did that almost the entire semester and it’s definitely not smart!

Week 14 Reading Diary continued: Brothers Grimm Crane

Six Swans

By Brothers Grimm, translated by Lucy Crane (1886)

Six Swans illustrated by Walter Crane

(Source: Blogspot)

At the beginning of the story we find the King wandering aimlessly through the forest because he is lost. Out of nowhere this witch appears, agreeing to help the hopeless king, but on one condition. The agreement is that he marry her daughter. When we find the daughter sitting at home awaiting their arrival I instantly thought it was a setup and that somehow the witch caused the king to become lost in the woods. 

My thoughts occur again after the two are married. The king is afraid of how the new queen will respond to his children, so he is forced to hide them away. This shows me how much the king loved his children, the undeniable love of family. He visits them often. The queen does not like that the king keeps disappearing, and eventually follows him and discovers the children. Here we learn that the queen is wicked. At this point, we are still unsure if the witch and her daughter were scheming all along. I think this would be a fun element to write about. 

The queen turns uses her magic to turn the six boys into swans, but misses the young daughter and remains clueless about her identity. This turn of events allows the younger sister to become the major role in the story, but setting out to find her brothers. She's the lone ranger. 

Week 14 Reading Diary: Brothers Grimm Crane Unit

The Fisherman and His Wife

Source: Household Stories by the Brothers Grimm

Translated by Lucy Crane (1886)

Fisherman and His Wife

Illustration by Alexander Zick

The fisherman and his wife were poor citizens. They were only able to survive off the fish he caught. When the fisherman reels in the fish, he finds out the fish is the prince. When the fish starts talking him and tells him his problem, the fisherman releases him. He shows compassion for the fish and releases him back into the water. 

Upon hearing what happened with the fish, the wife demands the fisherman ask for something. You can see the difference between the two main characters. The wife is very demanding and needy, while the fisherman is humble and kind. 

Week 13 Storytelling: Hansel and Grethel Find Their Way Home

Hansel and Grethel

(Source: Wikimedia)

Another week has gone by without a word or sign from my dad. The last time I saw him and my stepmother was almost six months ago.  During those six months, my sister and I have been at the orphanage in downtown Oklahoma City, waiting for their return.

The thing is, our family has a secret, but I didn’t think it would abandon to them abandoning us. At least, I didn’t think my dad would because I knew how much he loved us, but I also knew it wasn’t really my dad’s doing.

Our stepmom, Lisa, is another story, however. I knew she never liked us, even when my dad first introduced us to her a few years ago. There were times when she made my sister and I feel like the outsiders in the family. The way she controlled my father made zero sense at first until I saw what she was.

“Grethel, I think it’s time we leave here,” I suggested one evening. “I have a feeling I can find dad and we can be reunited again.”

Initially, I could tell Grethel was excited by my proposition, but then a worried expression crossed her face.

“But what about Lisa?” she whispered. “What if we find dad and she doesn’t let us see him?”

Everything I knew about Lisa and her past came to the surface, but I was afraid to tell Grethel. I mean, how do I tell my sister that Lisa is actually a witch and cursed our father? An honest to goodness witch, and not anything remotely close to Glenna the Good Witch.

Lisa has powers that no one knows about but my dad and I. One night a while back I saw her mixing potions into baked goods and homemade candies. My father walked in as she was finishing and forced him to eat the candy and freshly baked cookies. After that she had complete control over my dad. She even forced him to leave us at the orphanage.

“The only way to find dad is to follow to trail of candy Lisa left behind,” I told Grethel. “I also have something else to tell,” I whispered.

It was time Grethel understood the danger we were about to embark on. We were not just on a mission to save our father, but we were on a mission to save our father from a very powerful witch. It was only a matter of time that the candy trail Lisa left behind would lead us to their whereabouts. I only hoped that we weren’t too late.

Author’s Note: I based my story loosely on that of Hansel and Grethel. I chose to do the style through the mind of Hansel’s. The reason I chose this style is because I enjoy hearing the narration of stories through the main character. I like that it follows the thoughts of the main character and tells the story from his/her perspective. In the original Hansel and Grethel translated by Margaret Hunt, Hansel and Grethel’s father was being bossed around by their new stepmom. The family was so poor that the stepmom suggested getting rid of the kids by leaving them in the forest. While the stepmom discussed this with the father, Hansel was listening and decided on a plan. He gathered stones from outside the house so the next day when their father and stepmother led them into the forest, Hansel left a trail of pebbles behind him so they could find their way back home. Once the children are home, the stepmom wants to leave them in the forest again. This time she locks the door so Hansel is unable to gather stones to leave a trail. He instead leaves a trail of breadcrumbs, which is ate by birds and they are unable to find their way home. While they are lost, they come across a house made of candy. They begin to eat it and the owner comes out the front door and invites them in. That’s when they discover she is a witch. She locks Hansel away to fatten him up to eat later and forces Grethel to do chores. Grethel then finds a way to rescue Hansel and lock the witch away. They escape with her riches and make it back home. Upon arriving home they find their dad and find out their stepmom is dead. They all live happily ever after.

           

Bibliography:  This story is Hansel and Grethel from Brothers Grimm Unit by Jacob Grimm and Wilhelm Grimm, then translated by Margaret Hunt (1884).  

Week 13 Reading Diary continued: Brothers Grimm (Hunt)

Bearskin

By Jacob Grimm and Wilhelm Grimm

Translated by Margaret Hunt (1884)

Greencoat and the soldier

Illustrated by Otto Ubbelhde

After the war, the young man was left with nothing. His parents had passed away and his entire life was different. I can only imagine how hard a transition like this would be for me, especially after coming home from a war. He ended up with a different mindset after the war. Because of the time spent at war, he was unable to learn another skill to use in the real world which is why he says, "I have learnt no trade but that of fighting, and now that they have made peace, they don't want me any longer. So I see beforehand that I shall have to starve." He had given up hope on life and living altogether. 

He meets a man who agrees to give him gold, but the soldier must prove himself. The soldier must face-off against a bear charging towards him and here he displays his courage by killing the bear. The man in the green coat says if the soldier can stay alive for seven years while obeying certain rules, he will give him gold. The soldier is faced once again with the decision of whether to fight for survival or give up. The soldier agrees to fight for his life. He is forced to wear the green coat and also use the bear's skin as a shield and bedding. Anytime he reached into the green coat he would find gold in the pockets. He has everything while having nothing at all. 

Week 13 Reading Diary: Grimm

Hansel and Grethel

Household Tales by Jacob Grimm and Wilhelm Grimm

Translated by Margaret Hunt (1884)

Hansel and Grethel

(Source: Flickr)

Hansel and Grethel's family fell on hard times and were not able to provide food enough for everyone. This could be a story all on its own. So many families go through difficult times in their life, but are able to pull through. The struggle between the husband and wife caused a rife which is very common when children have new people placed in their lives. 

The children in this story are wise, especially Hansel. He protects himself and his sister even when his father didn't. The father was intimidated by his wife and let her dictate what he did. I also think it's interesting when they lose their way because the bread has been eaten by birds. 

Week 12: Famous Last Words

This week I was able to read part of Alice in Wonderland. I've always wanted to read this story as an adult because when you're a child you think about things differently, so this was really neat for me to be able to do. When I wrote the Storytelling for this week, it was actually the easiest to write. I was able to envision something after reading the original because I understood the story better after reading it again. There are certain details in my readings that I need to pay more attention to so that my storytellings will be easier and more fun for people to read. I want my stories to be better than they have been and for them to flow more than my others.
This week my best writing was for a paper in my capstone class. It was a five page paper about social responsibility in journalism. Normally writing takes me a very long time because I tend to overthink everything when I write. This time the words were flowing and I wrote my paper in two hours, which is not normal for me. This week for my project I decided to write my story in the style of journal entries. Like I mentioned before, writing is something I am not skilled at. This was sort of difficult me to do, but I was able to get something out.

Writing Practice

(Source: Pixaby)

I read someone's story this week but I can't quite remember whose it was, but I loved it. They added specific details in their story and their vocabulary was broader. Everything about it was intriguing and interesting. I want my writing to be more like this.
The biggest thing I have noticed about taking this class is that my other school writings have been much easier to write. Writing is like practicing anything else and getting better at it. In this class we just write which has made my writing in other classes easier to do.

Week 12 Storytelling: Alice's Nightmare

It's been a very long day. Yes! A very, long day indeed. I think I’ll take the long way home today. You know what? It’s hard to be an 11-year-old in this family. Every day I’m being made fun by my three brothers. Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to get away from these people.

I often have dreams. You know the kind about only having animals as my friends. They would understand me, and probably comfort me when I need it. They would be my truest, and most trusted friends. I would never have to wonder if they would leave me, because I know they would be by my side no matter. These are the things I wish I had in my life.

Alice lying a field

(Source: Wikimedia)

 Well, this road looks kinda funny… Wait… Am I lost? No, there’s no way. I’ve traveled along this road so many times before, although, usually not this late in the night. Is there something stirring over there?

“Excuse me?” I shout into the evening darkness. “Is somebody there?”

“It’s only me Alice! Your friend Dex the Rabbit,” exclaimed the tiny rabbit.

For a moment I am stunned into silence. Is this rabbit really talking to me?

“Um, hello there,” I stutter to the rabbit. “Do I know you?”

Dex the Rabbit cocked his head to the head and looked quizzically up at Alice. “Don’t you remember me? We’ve been friends forever,” Dex replied.

Wow! What’s happening to me? Am I dreaming…well… I mean anything’s a possibility I guess…

“I’m sorry Dex,” Alice said serenely. “I was only kidding. Of course I know who you are! What are doing?” she asked.

Dex looked Alice over once, then twice. “I came to tell you that the Mad-Hatter is in town,” he replied quickly. “We must get out of town before he asks us to join him for tea! You remember what happened last time,” he said in a rush.

Mad-Hatter? I guess I should know who that is. The moon is coming up through the trees. I wonder if my family is worried about me at all?

“Yes, I remember Dex,” Alice said. “Let’s get out of here.”

As I finished my sentence a man stepped out of the trees behind me. I think I am about to meet the Mad-Hatter. Dex looks at me with a frightened expression as the Mad-Hatter begins to talk.

“Well, my friends,” he says in high-pitched voice. “How about some tea?”

~~~

“Alice, Alice wake up!”

“Oh, we were so frightened.”

I open my eyes to see my family standing in front me. Everyone’s faces show signs of relief. I look around myself and realize I had fallen asleep under a tree. Maybe my family cares about me more than I thought…

 Author's Note: I decided to base this story on some of the characters from the Alice in Wonderland unit. I enjoyed the part about Alice having a dream and then being able to talk to animals. She was such an animated character and I wanted to keep the personality and the part where she talked to herself. Those characteristics made me think of my own childhood and not always voicing the things I was thinking or wanted to say. I have always loved these stories because they are so wild and sometimes it is hard to keep up with what the author. I think that's also why I liked this style of writing. 

Bibliography: This story is from part of the Alice in Wonderland unit that contains Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll (1865). 

Week 12 Reading Diary continued: Alice in Wonderland

A Mad Tea-Party

By Lewis Carroll (1865)

Tea Party illustrated by Sir John Tenniel

(Source: Blogspot)

In this story we are still following Alice on her journey through her dreams. She comes to the Hatter's tea table uninvited. From the beginning none of them get along. This makes me think about unwelcome people and uncomfortable situations that we are something involved in. No one is really sure what to say or do in these situations. 

They begin conversation by saying Alice is unwelcome and the hatter offering wine while all he has is tea. It's a very sarcastic scene. Everything is very confusing and uneasy. Clocks and time play a big role in the storyline. 

The Hatter makes the comment that, "If you knew Time as well as I do,' said the Hatter, 'you wouldn't talk about wasting IT. It's HIM.'"

This causes more confusion among the characters and for the reader. 

Week 12 Reading Diary: Alice in Wonderland

Alice in Wonderland

By Lewis Carrol (1865)

Rabbit Looking at the Clock

Illustration by Sir John Tensile

(Source: Blogspot)

The one thing I noticed about Alice in Wonderland is that almost all of the commentary is coming from Alice herself. I enjoyed this part because coming from the mind of a child we are brought into a new world of youth. We remember things from our young, but not usually as vivid or in flying color. Alice gives us a different taste and that's what I would bring into my own storytelling. 

Alice's imagination goes wild as she travels down the rabbit hole. She explains everything she sees and touches. It's incredible seeing everything that goes through her mind and it's so fast paced. She isn't afraid to say the things she's thinking in her mind, but doesn't want to say these out loud for fear of being wrong. 

You can tell Alice is smart and intelligent. She brings up words and facts about the world, giving the reader insight into the main character. I like how we are able to see this side of her. 

Week 11 Storytelling continued: King Arthur

King Arthur: Sir Galahad and the White Knight

By Andrew Lang

Sir Galahad opening the tomb

Illustrated by H. J. Ford (1902)

(Source: Blogspot)

Sir Galahad had gone four days without any adventure until he met two knights who enlightened him about a special shield. However, if the shield is worn three days, the person who wears it will either die or have some catastrophic event happen to them.

The special shield was white with a red cross centered on it. 

The monk explains that the Knight allowed to wear the shield has the be the mightiest of them all. 

After Sir Bagdemagus rode away with the shield, he battled a knight in white. The shield did not protect him completely. The knight in white told the squire to return the shield to Sir Galahad only. The knight told the squire that no earthly person could see him which gives the angel-like appearance. 

Once Sir Galahad received the shield from the squire he set out on his horse. He came across the white knight who told him the history of the shield. The history could be a completely different angle, crafted by angels. 

Sir Galahad then has to fight against a fiend. He opened the tomb where he lay and the fiend answers with: "Galahad," said the figure, "I see about thee so many angels that my power dare not touch thee."

This is where my thoughts of angels are confirmed.