READING NOTES: HOMER'S ODYSSEY PART A

Homer's Odyssey as translated into English by Tony Kline, Web Link
Part A


I love how descriptive the story is translated by Tony Kline. In the very beginning we are introduced to the land of the Cyclops. Cyclops are a group of people that don't do any work themselves, but depend solely on immortal goods. Zeus is their source of water for crops, they don't have council meetings, basically don't have to lift a finger. Along the journey, Odysseus and his crew come upon a cave. They knew when they approached the cave that it belonged to Cyclops when they saw baskets and baskets of lambs and cheese. Odysseus tried to use his wit and charm to get by the Cyclops, but the Cyclops did not fall for it. As the Cyclops would carry on his daily duties, casually he ate a couple of Odysseus's men everyday. Odysseus was smart to give the Cyclops wine to maybe win him over so he could continue his journey. Thinking it through, Odysseus was very strategic, he got the Cyclops drunk and told the Cyclops his name was "Nobody." When the time was right Odysseus and the men left stabbed the Cyclops in his eye as he screamed in pain he yelled, “Nobody, my friends, is trying to kill me by violence or treachery.” And they were able to escape with ease, the plan worked!

Even though Greek mythology stories can be sometimes hard to follow with the complicated names and mythical creatures, I enjoy the style of this story a lot. It's more entertaining than I anticipated. When I think of a Greek story that's been around for awhile, I think of it to sound like an old folktale. However, that was not the case and I was consistently intrigued by Homer's Odyssey. Odysseus is quite the charmer and his witty personality really shines through this story. I hope to carry that same charisma throughout my story

Image: Web Link

FEEDBACK THOUGHTS

Silence the Critical Voices in Your Head: Web Link
This article really resonated with me. I have always been my worst critic. "They originate from external criticism, or our own fears and doubts." Once we hear these negative words that "we're not good enough" we run them on loop in our head. It seems so crazy to me the Rajeev would only spot out the small negative things when he received so much positive feedback. But, we all do that when we're our own worst critic. I use to crave criticism in the dance studio. I wanted my teacher to find something wrong with me, to push me to be better! If I was given positive feedback after feeling like it wasn't my best I was always more comfortable receiving negative feedback. I love the 4 step plan to move past negativity and into productivity: look for the positive, hear the positive, dig into understand the positive, believe the positive and act as if they're true.

Image: Web Link

Why rejection hurts so much -- and what to do about it: Web Link
The next article I read was "Why rejection hurts so much -- and what to do about it." Whether the rejection is big or small, it still hurts. If you're at all familiar with The Enneagram, there are specific rejection types. Being a 2 I am a definite rejection type, meaning rejection gets to me a little more than others. I love how this article answers the question of why it hurts so bad? "The greatest damage rejection causes is usually self-inflicted. Just when our self-esteem is hurting most, we go and damage it even further." Our brain is wired to be affected by rejection since the dinosaur ages. But, there are a few things we can do to help us not to be so affected by rejection. 1. Have zero tolerance for self criticism, 2. Revive your self-worth, and 3. Boost Feelings of social connection.

TOPIC BRAINSTORM

As soon as I think of Fairy Tales I think of Princesses. While I have probably seen every Disney Princess movie ever made I think it's a good thing to broaden my Princess knowledge. The decision to look at Princesses from around the world and different cultures or to just focus on one culture. I read the story The Princess and Her Parties for inspiration and I loved the style of the writing. This story was narrated by the queen. The queen wants to share with her daughter all the advice a mother could give for her 16th birthday. So, she reaches out to other queens all over the world to send the young princess do's and don'ts when going into the dating world. The story chapters are divided by the different queens and their letters. I also liked how the style of writing was very modern and relatable. I think I can learn a lot from this topic. I do not have a lot of knowledge about princesses and queens around the world. Maybe there's a way to incorporate their own traditions into a story similar to this.

Project Idea: Fairy Tale Princesses: Web Link
The Princess and Her Parties, By: Kate Carlton, Web Link

Image Source: Calvin vs. World

 

 

My next inspiration for my storybook is Alice In Wonderland. Alice In Wonderland has so many wonderful characters to choose from and I'm very familiar with the story. I really like the theme of modern day fairy tales. Taking these older stories that have been told for years and years and giving them a modern day twist. This particular story is about a modern day, high school student named Alice. Alice is on spring break and is bored as can be. She's been scrolling on social media all day and finally decides to go outside for a little bit. While she's outside, she sees a White Rabbit and follows it all the way down his rabbit hole. Of course, she has to keep her social media updated, so literally makes a Facebook post while she is falling down the rabbit hole. Alice has the attitude of a typical entitled, spoiled, high school girl and her exploring this new place is so entertaining. Along her journey she meets the traditional characters of Alice In Wonderland and documents everything through her social media.
Project Idea: Alice In Wonderland: Web Link
Alice's Journey Through Social Media: Web Link

Image Source: Wikimedia

The Women of Hercules, Welcome to "Her" Story, was my next story for inspiration. This also followed the theme of putting a modern day twist on these older stories. Welcome to "Her" Story is about a talk show featuring the three women from Hercules's life. Between the three women they give the inside scoop on details and secrets that were left out of the original story. It's a fun and entertaining twist on the traditional Hercules story we have heard for so long. I like the idea of having a talk show host and interviewing the characters. I think that's an interesting approach and I like the variety than just retelling the story.
 Past Storybooks: Web Link
The Women of Hercules, Welcome to "Her" Story: Web Link

Image Source

I am a sucker for pop culture, my favorite place to find celebrity gossip is E! News, so I couldn't resist when clicking on this storybook. E! News Special: Diary Reveal is about the women of the bible and some of their untold stories. The retelling of these women's stories are so insightful and from their point of view. I think it helps me to understand the original stories told in the bible. Reading stories from a different perspective can be a learning benefit and make things more interesting and entertaining to read. This author went into great detail to retell the stories of four women from the bible. I really enjoyed reading this storybook.
Past Storybooks: Web Link 
E! News Special: Diary Reveal: Web Link

Image Source

WEEK 2 STORY: The Woman in the Wall

Once Upon a Time, there was an interior designer that loved to design homes for others. She was so talented, creative, and so good at her job that she went all over the nation to design houses. But, one day she was getting tired of designing homes. As she drove home from her office and walked into her house a twinkling star came shining across her yard and all of a sudden, a fairy was standing in front of her. Not knowing what to say or think, the Interior Designer stood there speechless. The fairy introduced her self, "I am the gratitude fairy and I'm here to remind you of all the things you have to grateful for." The interior designer replied, "I don't want to be an interior designer anymore. I'm so tired and just want to sit all day...I'd rather be a piece of furniture!" The gratitude fairy raised an eyebrow and said under her breath, "Be careful what you wish for." With her pretty wand and sparkly magic dust she turned the interior designer into a chair! A day went by and the once interior designer, now chair complained, "I don't want to sit around all day, I want to be a lamp it seems light and warm." So the gratitude fairy turned her into a lamp. Another day went by and the once interior designer, that turned into a chair, now a lamp, complained, "I hate being turned on and off everyday!" I want to be a rug, so I won't get moved around!" So the gratitude fairy turned her into a rug. A couple days went by and the once interior designer, then chair, then lamp, and now rug complained, "I getting stepped on all the time, I want to be apart of the wall, so I can see everything that's going on, and no one can mess with me." So the gratitude fairy turned her into a wall. And there she stayed and lives to this day.

Bibliography.  "The Man in the Moon" from Laos Folk-Lore by Katherine Neville Fleeson. Web source.

Image Source

READING NOTES: WEEK 2 ANTHOLOGY

Reading Notes: Week 2 Anthology
Origins: The Man in the Moon
This story comes from Laos in Southeast Asia. Story source: Laos Folk-Lore by Katherine Neville Fleeson (1899).


The Man in the Moon really grabbed my attention. The overall theme tells the story of a man who is never content and is constantly wanting a change. The Man in the Moon is a great reminder of the rule, you get what you get, and you don't throw a fit. The blacksmith continues to complain about everything and the wise man is running out of things to let the blacksmith turn into. In the beginning the blacksmith's work was too warm and he wanted to become apart of the mountain because it was cooler. Eventually he was unhappy as a mountain side, and wanted to be a stone cutter. The wise man was laughing at this point, but yet again made him a stone cutter. Of course being a stone cutter was too hard and the man's feet were tired. Then he became the sun, because he wanted to be warm. Then he became the moon, and missed being a blacksmith. But the wise man had changed him so many times, that the man stayed as the moon for forever. The blacksmith learned a valuable lessen that you shouldn't take the life you have for granted. When we find ourselves comparing our lives to others we miss the opportunity to be grateful for what we already have. The one thing I want to remember to take away and include in my own story is that there should always be a lesson to be learn.

Image Link

WEEK 2 READING OVERVIEW

 Tentative Schedule

Choose from CLASSICAL and/or BIBLICAL units for Weeks 3 and 4.
Week 3: Ancient Greece: Homer's Odyssey
Week 4: From the Bible: Bible Women

Choose from MIDDLE EASTERN and/or INDIAN units for Weeks 5 and 6.
Week 5: Frame Tale Stories: Arabian Nights
Week 6: Folktales and Fairy Tales: Indian

Choose from ASIAN and/or AFRICAN units for Weeks 7 and 9. [Week 8 is review week.]
Week 7: Japanese Fairy Tales: Lang
Week 9: Japanese Fairy Tales: Ozaki

Choose from NATIVE AMERICAN units for Weeks 10 and 11.
Week 10: Specific Tribes: Apache
Week 11: Specific Tribes: Cherokee

Choose from BRITISH and/or CELTIC units for Weeks 12 and 13.
Week 12: Hero Tales: Robin Hood
Week 13: Literary Works: Alice in Wonderland

Choose from EUROPEAN units for Weeks 14 and 15.
Week 14: Brother Grimm: Librivox
Week 15: Fairy Tales by Country: Italian

When making my Tentative Schedule, it was so difficult to make a decision, because so many stories grabbed my attention. Ever since I was younger I have always loved reading stories about princesses, magic, fairies, and prince charming. Looking at my schedule I see a theme of stories that I remember hearing when I was a little girl. In Middle Eastern and Indian units I'm really eager to read Arabian Nights, because it includes Aladdin. Later on in Weeks 12 and 13 I'm very excited for Robin Hood and Alice in Wonderland. My interests lie in fairy tale stories that I'm familiar with. 

Illustration by Sir John Tenniel

TIME STRATEGIES

SCHEDULE:

Tuesday: Reading A

Wednesday: Reading B, Story, Blog Comments

Thursday: Project, Project Feedback

Friday: (catch up as needed)

 

Between the different weekly assignments, reading, storytelling, project, project feedback, blog comments I think this schedule is going to work really well for me. Fridays will forever be catch up days, but I know that I am able to change my schedule anytime I need to during the semester. 

From reading the articles about time management, I especially liked, "The Psychology of Checklists: Why Setting Small Goals Motivates Us to Accomplish Bigger Things" and "The Myth of 'Too Busy.'" Checklists have always been my go to when I am feeling overwhelmed or stressed. Getting my priorities in order and then the satisfaction of crossing them off the list is why I make a checklist in the first place. After reading the article,"The Psychology of Checklists: Why Setting Small Goals Motivates Us to Accomplish Bigger Things" it makes sense on why checklists are so satisfying and how setting those realistic goals help us to feel more confident. I also liked the article, "The Myth of 'Too Busy.'" This is article was perfect for me. I am constantly saying "I'm too busy," which realistically means I want an excuse to not do something. "I'm too busy to work out," "I'm too busy to go to lunch with a friend," but really we should be rephrasing it as, "I'm prioritizing my time." After reading this article I think I won't be using the phrase "I'm too busy." 

Web Link: "The Myth of Being Too Busy"

Web Link: "The Psychology of Checklists: Why Setting Small Goals Motivates Us to Accomplish Bigger Things"  

Web Source

Web Source

 

TECHNOLOGY

Technology tools will probably be the most difficult part of this course for me. But, I think it's great that we will have the opportunity to learn technology tools through this course. I also love the fact that we won't be using canvas as much, it makes sense to start learning new tech tools and websites outside of canvas. In reality, canvas is such a small part of our college experience. There are so many new online resources that I can take from this course into the real world. I am unfamiliar with majority of these tools, but looking forward to learning how to use them. This website environment is a lot different than all my other classes I have ever taken. However, just because something is different, doesn't mean it's a bad thing!

Web Link

ASSIGNMENTS

After looking at the assignments, I think they cover a wide variety of assignments. I think this variety of assignments will create a steady flow with the curriculum of this course.  From past courses, I am familiar with interacting with other students' work and commenting on their posts. I think commenting on The Storytelling section of this course is something I am going to have to get more comfortable with. I am not a great writer, but it is encouraging to know that I am able to use whatever style of writing I prefer. I appreciate the amount of extra credit options available! I think I'll become more comfortable with the assignments as the weeks go by!

Web Link

GROWTH MINDSET

 I had never heard of Carol Dweck or of growth mindset before this class. Growth mindset is very fascinating and seems like it can be very beneficial. As a student and a dancer I can relate to growth mindset. In dance especially, I am always trying to perfect and master new techniques and tricks. It would be no fun to do the same steps over and over again. Having that challenging turn or leap to push towards makes you a better dancer. It's very rewarding when you've been working so hard for something and you finally get it. I was very fortunate to have a dance instructor that always pushed me. I wanted her to challenge me and sometimes it can be uncomfortable and awkward. But, the beauty of dance is taking something so difficult and takes so much technique, and making it look effortless.
I've learned a lot about myself while being at OU. My biggest challenge when learning new things is the fear of failure. I am worst critic and when I am learning something new, there is always a tiny voice in my head saying "you're not good enough." I have gained a lot of confidence and self assurance since being at OU. I have learned to not listen to the little voice saying "you're not good enough," and that's helped me gain confidence to try new things.
I think growth mindset is very interesting and I am eager to learn more about it in this class. I particularly love how Carol Dweck illustrates how growth mindset works. She demonstrates that when something is challenging or forces us out of our comfort zone, it is giving our neurons the opportunity to make stronger connections. I think growth mindset will be very beneficial for me in this class! I'm excited to learn more about it!

Web Link

INTRODUCTION TO MADEE THE WINE SNOB

Hi! I'm Madeline McGill, but I go by Madee. I'm from a Ada, Oklahoma a small town about an hour away. I am a senior and a Human Relations major graduating in May. After graduating I will be working for E & J Gallo Winery as a Sales Rep in Oklahoma City! I am a 4th year member and Captain of the OU Pom Squad and it has given me so many amazing experiences over the past 4 years. When I'm not dancing, I love hanging out with friends, sunshine, and binge watching tv shows. Recently, I have watched some really good movies; Fyre Fraud is a documentary about a music festival that was a huge scandal (It's on Hulu, I definitely recommend). I loved A Star Is Born, Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga are so talented and I haven't stopped listening to the soundtrack from the movie. Along with movies, some tv shows/series I have been watching are Dirty John, Innocent Man, and Schitts Creek. Both Dirty John and Innocent Man are based off true stories, and I think that's why I like them so much. I watched a lot of tv over the break, but also got to go to Colorado for a little bit. It was so much fun getting to ski and Colorado is so beautiful.

I picture I took on Main Street in Frisco, Colorado 

After Colorado, I went back home to Ada where I got to spend time with my family. I am the oldest of three, and we have the best dog in the entire world named Moxie. I got to take her on lots of walks and watch a lot of movies with her! I love getting spend time with my family, this being my last semester I am trying to be better about taking everything in! I have so many lasts and I don't want to take anything for granted. The fall semester flew by so quickly, and I know the spring will fly by even faster.

Pictured: Me, Meredith, Mom, and Alex

This is Moxie, she is a "Wauzer," mix between a Westie and a Schnauzer!

STORYBOOK FAVORITES

There were so many great storyboards to choose from, here are my top 3!

The Nutcracker
Web Link

Image:
Web Source

  
The Nutcracker is something I am very familiar with. I consider it a yearly tradition around Christmas, whether I go see the ballet or listen to the soundtrack from it. I even danced in The Nutcracker when I was younger. Ballet is very important to me and that's why this Storyboard grabbed my attention. The Introduction does a wonderful job of portraying the topic and prompting me to read the story. I particularly liked how the Introduction reflected the core of the original story of The Nutcracker with a little twist. The layout and design of the page was pretty and clean, from the layout and design it did not hint any change in the original plot of the story. I liked the fact that there weren't too many pictures, so I was able to interpret and imagine the story through my own perspective.



Real Housewives of Greek Mythology 
Web Link

Image: Web Source

The Real Housewives of Greek Mythology immediately grabbed my attention because of its title. One of my guilty pleasures is Reality TV, therefore I had no hesitation deciding on this Storyboard. I love how in the Introduction there is reference to Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Atlanta, and New York. That same theme carries on throughout the pages. The story is organized by Season and Episode. I think that is a great idea and really draw viewers in. Those are some design features I could potentially use in my own project.




Witches of Oz 
Web Link

Image: Web Source

 Witches of Oz is a quirky and cute spin off of The Wizard of Oz. I really like the idea that Princess Ozma is the ruler of Oz. The Wizard of Oz is a complex story to begin with and many backstories play a role into bringing it all together. It really grabbed my attention when reading through the Storyboards. I really enjoy the thought of getting to know the witches from North, East, South, and West. I think the Introduction does a great job of explaining the topic and portraying the theme. I like the details and layout of the pages.

FAVORITE PLACE

My favorite place is Exuma, Bahamas! The first time I went to the Bahamas was about a couple of years ago. Ever since that first trip, the Bahamas has been my go-to place. One thing I love is that it doesn't feel like a tourist attraction. When we go, my family and I stay in a house and take a boat to local restaurants and bars. We even take rides out to little islands, it is so relaxing and beautiful. The sun is always out and the water is so clear you can see your feet underneath you!

This is a picture I took from one of the islands we visited in Georgetown.

Image from Google:  https://www.exumamap.com/map.htm

Chat & Chill Bar! Local bar with sand volleyball and swing sets. Once you dock your boat up you can sit right where the ocean meets the sand and pet stingrays!

My sister and I enjoying the pool!

Another picture I took!

My boyfriend and I loving the clear blue water and sky!

My sister and I!

One last picture just because it's too beautiful.