Week 6 Story: A Hidden Hero

Author's Note: So for this week I focused on Sinbad. Here's a link to the original story that I was inspired by: Voyages of Sinbad, Andrew Lang, http://mythfolklore.blogspot.com/2014/06/sindbad-fifth-voyage.html

As with most of my stories I don't really know what direction they are going to go in but I hope this is at least somewhat entertaining. I found my inspiration in the Sinbad story from the shipwreck so I hope this is good. Enjoy :)

Point Reyes Shipwreck (Google Images) 

https://images.app.goo.gl/ttX5DWkxMBzBJ2oL6

Gathering her things hastily, Rose tried to collect her thoughts about what had happened to her that day. It had started out as a normal day, she got ready and left her apartment in the city to travel to the country side where she could take pictures. Things had taken a turn for the worse though once she returned back home. Her apartment had been broken into, all her valuables stolen, mirrors smashed, the overall apartment was trashed. The police refused to help her for some reason. Anxiety ridden, Rose jumped back into her car and headed back to the country where she felt safe. Catching a glimpse of herself in the rearview mirror, she could see her pale face and bloodshot eyes. She looked absolutely exhausted.

Arriving at the ferry station in order to cross the ocean over to the other side of the island, Rose grabbed the one bag she managed to pack and marched herself to the queue to board the ferry. It was quite a muggy day and the air being blown off the waves was stagnant. It was not an ideal day for ferry rides either due to the temperament of the ocean. Unfortunately this was the only way to cross.

While standing in line to board, the sky turned really dark and eerie like it was going to storm real badly. Handing the man at the gate her ticket Rose found the nearest seat. Looking around she could see that there were only a few passengers with her but there was one interesting character that stood out to her. He sat in the very back, hidden under a tattered cloak, silent yet vigilant.

The ferry started its journey across the ocean, the waves hitting the sides violently shook it off course a bit. The storm started to progressively get worse. As the rain started to pour down hard on the ferry Rose started to get scared for her safety. She looked around at the very few passengers but no one seemed concerned. Above her she could see the storm starting to rotate in a much familiar tornado-like pattern. Suddenly the cloaked stranger stood up and started to walk towards her.

Frightened Rose looked at the stranger as he reached into his cloak and pulled out a small bag of something glowing. It wasn't quite a liquid nor a solid. Unable to see his face Rose started to move away from the stranger. He grabbed her arm and offered her the bag. "Um...No t-thank you." Rose stuttered in confusion. The stranger leaned in closer, "I'm not asking. Take it, you're going to need it. Thank me later." He forced the bag into her hand and went back to his seat.

Sitting down, Rose muttered under her breath about people being so weird these days and then slowly opened her hand to look at this bag of glowing substance. It gave off an eerie green glow and sparkled just a bit. The longer Rose stared at the bag the more entranced she became with the glitter and glow patterns; it was hypnotizing. The rain continued to beat down on the ferry and passengers. The rainwater pooled in her hands as she held the mysterious bag. Suddenly the bag started to disintegrate from the water the green glow started to spread all over Rose's hands. Freaking out Rose stood up quickly and tried to wipe off the substance but to no avail. The green glow spread all over her body fusing with her DNA. Feeling queasy Rose glanced at the stranger right before she passed out.

An unknown amount of time passed while Rose was passed out. She woke up to the screams of the passengers. Looking around she saw that she herself was floating on debris, the ferry had been destroyed and was on fire. It was sinking to the bottom of the ocean to be forgotten forever. Lightening struck the remaining pieces of the boat sending Rose flying off her makeshift raft. Submerged in the dark unforgiving ocean Rose was certain this was the last time her eyes would open. Trying to convince herself in her last moments of consciousness that she is okay with dying this way the stranger suddenly appeared underneath the waves with her but something was very different. He had abandoned his cloak but was swimming towards her at an inhuman speed. Shocked she watched him quickly approach her. He was definitely not human. She looked him up and down quickly and saw that he had a fish tail. What a freak.

Rose started to finish up her process of drowning when the stranger kissed her, providing her with air. She felt something deep within her at the DNA level. Rose started to glow green and then she remembered the bag that had broke over her hands. As the light grew stronger Rose's eyes changed color and she was able to see underwater more clearly. Swimming to the surface Rose realized what she needed to do. She needed to save the other passengers. Gathering up all her strength Rose realized she was able to control the ocean around her. Putting out the fires from the lightening and propelling herself up into the air to get a better vantage point to find the passengers Rose attempted to save everyone. With her new powers Rose was able to gather the passengers and push them to the nearest shore. Pulling herself up on the shore as well, Rose realized she could not breathe properly. Gasping for air she looked out at the ocean as the ferry continued to sink and she saw the outline of the stranger. Gathering her willpower she swam back into the ocean, able to breathe better now, and met the stranger. "I told you you would thank me later," the stranger said smugly. Rose, frustrated, "What did you do to me? What is going on?!" The stranger laughed, "My name is Atlas, I did nothing to you but awaken the power that was already burning within you. You are a monster like me, but you are the queen. You are destined for greatness."

To be continued...

Week 6 Reading Notes: Part B: Sinbad: Fifth Voyage

So for these Week 6 reading notes I chose to focus on a hero story and came across Sinbad. Here are the notes I pulled from the reading. I hope these will inspire me for a good solid story this week.

The Arabian Nights' Entertainments by Andrew Lang and illustrated by H. J. Ford (1898).


So Sinbad, as one can imagine is not used to a quiet life in this specific part of his story. In this part he sets sail to an unknown island and Sinbad and his crew found a "roc's egg

Creepy.

The merchants who were travelling forced the egg open killing the birds and setting them on fire.

Ope, the parent birds showed up and were not happy about this situation, the sky darkened.

Sinbad and the others ran back to the ship and tried to escape the parent birds. Giant rocks were being thrown at them and one finally hit the ship right in the middle and destroyed the boat flinging the crew overboard.

This overall was a very interesting story. I hope to be able to build off of it.

Arabian Nights (Google Images)

https://images.app.goo.gl/oZSFswbGkVuyAjoa6

Week 5 Story: The King of the Dead's Prison - Shadows Unknown

AUTHOR'S NOTE:
So for this week's storytelling I am going to attempt to just add some twists and recreate a new story based off of the Egypt stories that I took notes on. I think with this one I had too many details that I was trying to squeeze into a limited word count though. I wanted to try and tie in Egypt and the elements from the story but in the process I think I just got a bit confusing and lost where I was going. I am attempting to be a bit more creative in hopes for my revamping of the story to be interesting and entertaining to read. Also, I know this story is not up to the same caliber as my last story so please have patience with it. haha. So, without further explanation, here is my story for Week 5. Enjoy.

Source of inspiration: Egypt, Mackenzie, http://mythfolklore.blogspot.com/2014/06/egypt-king-of-dead.html

Shadow Bind (Google Images)

https://images.app.goo.gl/nBdXp9WFLeaxnAKZ6

The echos in the cave reverberated violently back to the climbers that afternoon. Everything had been going fantastic up until this very point in time. Andrew checked his rope which was now cut and laying at the bottom of the cave. His team, scraped up and scared, anxiously awaited his plan to escape the depths of this unexplored cave. As his team assessed their wounds and what equipment was left, Andrew paced back and forth looking for a reason as to why or how this happened. His entire team was comprised of expert climbers, professionals, there was no logical way that this should have happened, unless, someone on his team was purposefully trying to sabotage this exploration.

Shaken from the fall and now paranoid that a member of his climbing team was out to injure or kill him or the others Andrew turned to discuss a plan of action. Looking up towards the opening of the cave the only thing to be seen was the now setting sun, a tiny pin-hole of light that shined down on the explorers signaling the hopeless feeling that was now settling in his stomach.

The team of climbers consisted of Andrew, the leader, Sarah, an expert in medical emergencies, and Keith and Kevin (the twins) who were trained climbing guides. All of these individuals were close friends, colleagues, climbing enthusiasts. It made Andrew sick to even think about the possibility of one of them sabotaging their climb.

With all the color drained from his face Andrew turned to address his team, "There, is no way to get out by going back the way we fell. We are going to have to find a different exit. The ropes have been cut and they are now useless. There is no cell phone signal and we have limited resources. We need to take care of any injuries we have now and move on to find an exit because we cannot stay down here much longer. But we have to stick together, do not split up no matter what happens." The already eerie cave fell to complete silence as the team contemplated the words just spoken to them.
Shy to speak Sarah stood up and silently started to wrap Andrew's hands where he had rope burn from attempting to stop the fall. The twins, Keith and Kevin, were already trying to figure out what food was left from the fall. Once everything was salvaged and injuries temporarily patched the team looked behind them into the unknown darkness that mocked their imprisonment.

Unfortunately the flashlights broke from the fall but luckily the twins had brought glow sticks and flares just in case. Each member took a glow stick and activated it. The green light bounced off the dark, wet cave walls creating for even more anxiety about what could possibly await them in the seemingly never-ending darkness. With the remains of the broken rope, Sarah tied all the members together with Andrew at the front to lead them, so that they wouldn't get separated. Hesitantly the group marched into the dark to look for their exit.

With the sun set, and the glow sticks as their only light source, the team carefully walked further and deeper into the cave. The only sound was that of crunching beneath the explorer's feet as they stepped and bated breath. About an hour into their trek to look for an escape, Andrew suddenly heard water but he didn't have time to react before he and his team were suddenly swept away into the violent waves. Being tied together made it difficult for the individuals to swim let alone keep their heads above the water. Yelling for help each time they were able to gasp for air their screams echoed off the cave ceiling. Andrew, stuck underwater and slowly losing consciousness suddenly saw a light above the water's surface. A large figure, unlike that of any man, reached out and grabbed the leader and the team out of the water. Waterlogged and switching in and out of consciousness Andrew only saw glimpses of light as he and his team were being dragged behind this large shadow figure.

Jolted awake by a loud screeching noise the team witnessed something horrific. On the cave wall in front of them were paintings of sins that each of them had committed while living. Hieroglyphics
scattered all over the walls next to the paintings told what each sin was and who it belonged to. No one was safe. Andrew, struggling to stand up, stumbled over to the wall and in the unknown faint light he was able to make out a story about the twins Kevin and Keith. While trying to make out the full story a growling came from behind Andrew and the team and all he could make out before the light faded was that of a monster made of shadows...



To be continued...

Reading Notes Part B: The Two Brothers Part One

The Two Brothers: Part One, Donald Mackenzie, http://mythfolklore.blogspot.com/2014/06/egypt-two-brothers-part-one.html

"The Land and the Book" (Google Images)

 https://images.app.goo.gl/9KfpyLoJpDKLmArW6

The two brothers names are Anpu (the oldest) and Bata.

Anpu seems to be the "successful" one on society's standards because he has a house and a wife.
Bata lives with them and works hard.

Bata could understand what the oxen said.

Bata seems to be the only one working his butt off in this household while Anpu and his wife live it up, at least that what it reads like.

Anpu's wife made a move on Bata?! Nope, nope, nope. That is so not okay. :/

She's a snake! Anpu's wife lied to Anpu saying that Bata had spoke evil words to her and hit her.

I personally am more angry right now that the wife is a liar and because she got rejected from making a move on Bata she created this whole lie. So fun fact about me, lying is one of my biggest pet peeves as I'm sure it is for many individuals. The fact that Bata has worked so hard and views Anpu and his wife as a mother and father and then has to deal with this is just infuriating. This is only part one of this story and Anpu is currently waiting behind the door of the byre to kill Bata with a knife. Although I don't think I'll take notes over part two, I'm not sure yet, I am going to have to read on because I really hope Anpu's wife gets what she deserves.

However, I'm wondering if this story makes the wife the evil one due to societal views? I'm not sure. However, I have lots of ideas for my story that I am going to write this week. Stay tuned :)

Reading Notes Part A: Egypt: King of the Dead

Egypt: King of the Dead, Donald Mackenzie, http://mythfolklore.blogspot.com/2014/06/egypt-king-of-dead.html

Horus (Google Images)

https://images.app.goo.gl/uhaRfA1YkkB3Sj9C9

Hello,

These are why notes for Week 5, part A on King of the Dead. Again I am taking notes as I read in case I need to record any sudden questions that arise while reading and any research that I had to do because of the reading as a whole.

Because this is just a part of the Ancient Egypt unit I have to try and orient myself as to where I am at in terms of time and the events that happened before. It is a bit confusing.

So Set is ruling over Egypt in this moment in time when Horus is supposed to be the rightful king. Although Horus isn't king he still has followers that are essential to him.

Horus has a dream of his father Osiris, which is an interesting piece of information. Set is Horus' uncle. In this dream Horus was urged to overthrow Set and get rid of Set's followers.

However impossible it seemed at the time Horus was able to overthrow Set and run him and his followers out towards the "eastern frontier"

Horus lost an eye!

So one thing that I've noticed in many of these stories is that there is always some kind of higher power depending on the religion and what not of the area in which the story originated. In this case it consists of gods and goddesses that choose judgement and whatnot of those dead and alive. The thing with Egypt in general is that there are many different symbols and uses of things in the culture and definitely in the stories. I think I should be able to use that to my advantage when writing my story for this week. :)

Week 4 Story: The Automaton

*NOTICE: Author's Note*: So this is definitely a twist on
 Ovid's Metamorphosis. (http://mythfolklore.blogspot.com/search/label/Ovid)

I tried to switch roles up in the story but still keep the jest of what the original story consisted of. It is definitely rough but here is my take on Metamorphosis. The main character is female now instead of male and it is not an ivory statue that was created here but an automaton. I wanted to go with something a little more technological and progressive. Instead of the gods granting wishes here, the character Veronica uses her connection with spirits to transfer the man. Also, this is a story that I wanted to work on for the past couple weeks but I had some medical stuff I had to deal with, so now I'm making up for it! I hope you enjoy!

Steampunk Time Travel (Google Images)

https://images.app.goo.gl/Tza7Wbu7d8o6nGGVA

The London smog filled the air around the city, making the visibility even less-so than during the daytime. The full moon rose high above the city, attempting to illuminate the world below,  yet struggling due to the dense, black smoke that engulfed the city. The industrial revolution was something that propelled the world into the future, but at what cost? The year was 1835 and London was rapidly becoming one of the more developed countries thanks to the new technology.

Zoelle, a fair girl, attractive, wandered the dark alley ways of the city. Not sure what to do or where to go she just kept walking. As with most women she longed to have someone to call her own, to feel protected, loved. However, Zoelle was different from the other women in the city. She preferred the dark over the light. Her wardrobe reflected that as well, casting her to the outside of social groups. She did not mind though, she was very intelligent and knew her worth, however it got painfully lonely sometimes.

 The night of October 13, 1835 marked a new beginning for Zoelle though. Walking through the dark alley way dressed in her darkest of victorian frocks she slowly passed the many pubs and restaurants that lined the alley. Tobacco smoke wafted out through the smallest of openings making the alley that more eerie. The only sound that could be heard came from the gothic style boots that she wore as they clicked against the rough and wet cobble stone. "Click, Click, Clack." Zoelle was returning from a lecture on art at the local academy, filled to the brim with creativity and ideas. 

Suddenly a man appeared behind Zoelle. Startled she turned to look at his face. He was extremely handsome. His blond, curly hair draped slightly to the right, just over his green eyes, his tasteful facial hair accentuated his strong bone structure. However, he was extremely intoxicated from his time at the local pub. Frightened of what may happen to him if she were to leave him stranded in the alley she helped guide him to her small apartment. Exhausted but safe, Zoelle placed the man down on her chaise lounge where he passed out for the night. Taking her place near the hearth Zoelle started to stare at his beauty when she suddenly got an idea to cure her loneliness. Inspired by the energy of the industrial revolution Zoelle got to work immediately on her invention. 

The next morning Zoelle went to check on the man.

He was violently ill, dying. His pale face gazed up at her and his green eyes struggled to show any sign of hope. Worried and scared that she would not be able to save him, Zoelle contacted a local doctor. The doctor came to the apartment and attempted to help the man, but it was no use. He was on his deathbed.

Refusing to give up Zoelle went with a more taboo option. She reached out to her downstairs neighbor, Veronica, who was a Medium. She worked with the spirit world. After hours of medicinal rituals and various attempts to heal him there was only one option left. Veronica could not save his physical body, but she could save his soul, his essence, his overall spirit, but she would have to find another host that could hold and contain it.

Trying desperately to think of something or someone to place this man's spirit in, Zoelle got an idea. She ran over to her work station and pulled out the invention she had been working on the night before. She rolled the invention over to Veronica and uncovered it. There stood an automaton, life size, ready to operate. The gears glistened and the mechanical face gazed back at them. Her invention now had an even better purpose, it was going to save this man. With the help of Veronica the man's spirit was transferred over into the automaton.

Anxiously they both waited for something to happen. Anything. After a few hours they were both convinced that it hadn't worked and that the man had passed away for good, but then all of a sudden the gears in the automaton started to turn, and he came to life.

Together Zoelle and the man in the automaton worked on inventions and creating a better world to live in. 

Reading Notes: Ghosts of Erebus: Part B

Here are my reading notes for Ghosts of Erebus for Part B.

Homer's Odyssey: Ghosts of Erebus, http://mythfolklore.blogspot.com/2014/05/odyssey-ghosts-of-erebus.html

Ulysse (Google Images) 

https://images.app.goo.gl/v7qNiXYMY1QnMS3y7

So, this is a very intense part of the Odyssey, it seems. Filling their ships with sheep for sacrifice and sailing away to a different land.

I personally like this part because it's a ghost story, 'tis the season of spook! :)

The order and method that went into the actual luring of the ghosts is interesting to me. The dumping of libations and water and then sacrificing the sheep is strange. Some ghost stories just focus on the fact that the ghosts were actually summoned not the full process by which they were summoned.

Once the ghosts actually showed up was also interesting in this portion of the story as well. The ghosts were not just fallen warriors or aged individuals but they were girls who were young. I'm curious to know what happened to them.

I think the Odyssey overall is very interesting, I read it in high school and had to do a project on it. To be able to go back through portions of it is entertaining. If anything I think that this story shows a lot about the social and cultural aspects during the time of its origin. Food for thought, I suppose.

Reading Notes: Homer's Odyssey: Part A: The Land of the Cyclopse

For these reading notes I focused on The Land of the Cyclopse for Part A.

Homer, "Odyssey: The Land of the Cyclopse" http://mythfolklore.blogspot.com/2014/05/odyssey-land-of-cyclopes.html

Odyssey (Google Images) 

https://images.app.goo.gl/1dtqmsZ21bYygpvk7

So, I'm taking notes while I'm reading instead of just reading through and then going back to take notes and right at the start I notice that it is discussed that the Land of the Cyclops have no code of law. This is something that I find interesting from a societal point of view. If there is no code of law then socially anything goes within this society, right? To me that's a bit terrifying.

-Why is this land free of man but full of goats?

So the Cyclops seem to not have the skills to create vessels to explore and escape the island. Does this mean, perhaps, that they are not quite as intelligent as man then?

The Cyclops' Cave:

The men were able to hunt some of the copious amounts of goats and feast with their wine, gain strength before exploring.

The last sentence says that this giant was "born a monster". Does that mean that it has to constantly be categorized as a monster then for the rest of its life? Could this story simply be a tie to strangers that have different cultural and social customs from that of the original storyteller?

Week 2 Reading Overview

Choose from CLASSICAL and/or BIBLICAL units for Weeks 3 and 4.

Week 3: Cupid and Psyche

Week 4:Homer's Odyssey

Choose from MIDDLE EASTERN and/or INDIAN units for Weeks 5 and 6.

Week 5: Ancient Egypt

Week 6:Life of the Buddha

Choose from ASIAN and/or AFRICAN units for Weeks 7 and 9. [Week 8 is review week.]

Week 7: The Monkey King

Week 9 Ozaki

Choose from NATIVE AMERICAN units for Weeks 10 and 11.

Week 10:Blackfoot

Week 11: Marriage Tales

Choose from BRITISH and/or CELTIC units for Weeks 12 and 13.

Week 12: Beowulf

Week 13: Celtic Tales

Choose from EUROPEAN units for Weeks 14 and 15.

Week 14: Inferno

Week 15: Hans Christian Andersen 

Located above is my reading schedule for this class! I am really excited to get to the Celtic units. I grew up on Celtic Tales so I look forward to reading them again and/or finding new favorites! Overall I am ecstatic by all the reading options that are at our disposal for this class, it really is great!

Sandro Boticelli - La carte de l'enfer 

Source: Google Images

https://images.app.goo.gl/Q236gd8MLccbiW4V6

I chose this image because it is a portrayal of the layers of Hell from Dante's Inferno. That is one of the readings that I chose to focus on for this class. I am kind of a morbid person and personally love dark stories about the afterlife, about what may happen to us after we die and how our actions while living affect said afterlife. 

Time Management and Time Strategies

Hello!

So, with this being an online course time management is very important. It is especially important to me with working two jobs and going to physical classes during the week as well. I am super busy! The time management schedule that was provided to me at the beginning of this class seems to be working well, so far. I'll have to see how week 2 goes and if I need to revamp anything or not. I really do appreciate the opportunity for extra credit that can be found to not only help if I fall behind or miss an assignment but to help me finish the class early. :)

The articles that I read were: 1) "How to Beat Procrastination" and 2) "The Psychology of Checklists"

"How to Beat Procrastination" - this was very helpful! I find that with my busy schedule I am more exhausted than I would normally be and I find myself procrastinating just a bit because I am so tired. This article provides some good tips and tricks on how to beat that mindset of "Oh, I'll do it later". One thing that I really appreciated is that the author tells the audience to "...be kind to yourself.." This is something that I always seem to have trouble with. I am my worst critic, I am very hard on myself, especially when it comes to my academics and in some cases this is my downfall. https://hbr.org/2016/07/how-to-beat-procrastination

"The Psychology of Checklists" - this was also very helpful! I am a list maker. I make lists all the time because I am afraid that I will forget something very important. However my lists are sporadic. They're written on a scrap of paper I find or sometimes (most of the time) the palm of my hand. This article definitely gave me good advice on how our minds work when it comes to checklists and how to utilize them properly. Another thing that was mentioned in this article is that when it comes to checklists one has to be REALISTIC. I have a habit of cramming anything and everything into a checklist and half the time I am unable to fully finish the list. https://blog.trello.com/the-psychology-of-checklists-why-setting-small-goals-motivates-us-to-accomplish-bigger-things?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=linkedin&utm_campaign=checklists

Time, Losing Time

Source: Google Images

https://images.app.goo.gl/Z5hXBvdDHN9xfJMP9

Technology Tools

Hello!

I am really excited in the technology tools that we will be using in this class. I am unfamiliar with most of them mentioned so therefore I am ready to learn about them. I've never created a website or anything dealing with that so I think I may have a bit of trouble in the beginning but trust that I will be able to learn quickly. This online class is a bit different than any that I have taken in the past in a couple of ways. 1) I've never had to actually blog for a class and 2) I don't think I've ever had to do the Declarations and "grade myself".  I do however find it interesting and it holds me accountable for my assignments a bit more than a regular class.

Technology -1

Source: Google Images

https://images.app.goo.gl/ToEmcAJfoN61oWBJ6

Class Assignments and First Impressions

Dark Forest 

Source: Google Images

https://images.app.goo.gl/sGGY2Tuojp3qKiHM8

Hello!


I am really looking forward to what this class has in store for this semester. The assignments and projects all seem highly interesting and I appreciate the chance for extra credit. Seeing as I work and go to classes as much as I do per week, time management is always a bit of a struggle so it is nice to have a back up plan if something slips through the cracks and I miss an assignment. The extra credit option "Famous Last Words" seems fun and interesting to me and I am most likely going to take advantage of it. I also look forward to looking at my peer's blogs as well and commenting. I love to participate in intriguing discussions. Overall I am really excited for this class and can't wait to start reading stories and creating fun projects! :)

Growth Mindset

Hello! 

So this is the first time that I have heard of Carol Dweck and her work dealing with this concept of "Growth Mindset". Watching the TedTalk video really piqued my interest about the entirety of it all. Personally, I've always kind of struggled with math. My high school calculus teacher would always tell me that I needed to stop listening to the thoughts in my head about my failure. When it came time for tests, I would freak out and forget how to do the math problems in front of me. I think this is because I have an underlying fear of failing at anything I do. However, over time, I've gotten better at thinking positively about problems that I am faced with either in everyday life or my academics.

While attending OU I've learned a lot. One of the main things, however, is that I am my worst critic. I am more difficult on myself when it comes to my academics than my professors are or my peers. In some ways I can see this as a positive aspect but ultimately when I start over thinking it becomes a negative aspect in my life. I hurt my own feelings. 

I am definitely interested in learning more about this concept of "Growth Mindset" more this semester and I hope that I'll be able to use the information I learn to better myself as not only a student but an overall individual. 

Rethinking Thoughts

Source: Google Images

https://images.app.goo.gl/sa7Cfqtby9zapP2Y7

Introduction Post - Future Temperance Brennan

Hello!

So this is it, my last semester as an undergrad at OU. Wow. I honestly cannot believe I made it this far, yet here I am. Let's see, I arrived on campus in 2015 scared out of my mind to start this new chapter of my life. The very first day I stepped foot on campus was December 21st, 2015 for a full tour of the campus. I had injured myself in the previous week at my senior high school dance and was on crutches. I remember getting out of the car and just losing my breath at the beauty of the campus. I had toured a few other places before I made it to OU and was not impressed by their attempts to reel me into their four year programs, but something about OU was different, it felt like home. So as soon as I got home from the tour I applied, got accepted, and moved in August 2015 to Couch tower with my best friend from high school.

Studia Sklieletu 

Source: Google Images

https://images.app.goo.gl/mdjjwbyzDwcRWXRc7

I am a Forensic Anthropology major (focusing on forensic linguistics, specifically at the moment) with A minor in Asian Studies. I think one of the most interesting things about my major is that I am constantly revamping my study topics because of the possible sub-fields to do research on (Biological, Socio-Cultural, Linguistic, Archaeology). I think one of the most interesting classes that I took last semester was actually a graduate class where I was able to focus on my research dealing with forensic linguistics. Simply defined, forensic linguistics is applying forensic science techniques to the linguistic context. Specifically I focused research on how criminals utilize language to communicate with accomplices and the community around them, how urban legends and the language used in those stories affect the culture and overall perspectives of the community as a whole. My paper and presentation for this seminar class used Charles Manson and The Family, Slenderman, and the concept of horror movies/stories as examples.

Let me think...like most individuals I am a multi-faceted human being. I work very hard for what I have in life and for what I want. My favorite colors are black and purple. I prefer rock, alternative, classic rock music as opposed to the everyday monotonous pop music that is constantly blasting through the radios. Some of the pop songs are good, but I personally can only listen to pop so long before they all start sounding like the same song. I am shy at first when meeting new people, but once I warm up I am pretty outgoing and funny. I am an artist, as well. I love to sketch and paint. It is a good outlet for me to express my feelings and handle my stress. I currently work two jobs, one full time, one part time on top of attending school.

I didn't really go anywhere during the summer except down to Texas to visit my boyfriend where we went to my first ever water park. So that was really exciting. I am what one would consider very pale, so I had to slather myself in sunscreen before even stepping foot outside in the Texas heat though. The water park itself was really fun and it kind of made me wonder why my parents never took me and my siblings to one as kids, but oh well. Check it off my bucket list now! :)

Hmmm..Okay so, after I graduate in December, my current plan of action is to find a job in Texas and move. I've been in Oklahoma for far too long and I need some new scenery. It is terrifying however to even try and think of what I am going to do. I would prefer to work for about a year in my field, establishing residency, and then go on to graduate school to get at least my Master's degree. I feel as though I just need a break after these crazy four years at OU.

So, yes. This is a brief description/introduction of who I am. I like to think of myself as outgoing, understanding, hard working, and easy to get along with. So if you have any questions or would like to be friends just let me know! :)

My Three Favorite Storybooks

Below are three of my favorite storybooks that I found at http://estorybook.blogspot.com/2010/12/past-storybooks.html

Gothic Novels

Dark Forest

Source: Google Images

https://images.app.goo.gl/SdpV77f2Ku7tjTJe7

1) Hades' Iliad
https://sites.google.com/view/hadesiliad/home

It seems as though I've personally always had an obsession with Hades and the stories that surround the underworld. This is one of the main reasons that I was drawn to this storybook in the first place. However, I think as an overall theme in my life, at the least when it comes to literature, I am drawn to the dark and macabre, things that are viewed out of the norm. The overall story of Hades and Persephone is a classic one that most individuals know. With this storybook, however, it focuses on the story of the War of Troy but from a different perspective than that which has been told in the past. From the perspective of Hades himself this storybook is one that I find very interesting. The introduction to this storybook does a decent job in reeling the audience in to actually continue reading the provided chapters. I appreciate the short bit of background that is also provided in the introduction and the fresh perspective from Persephone's point of view and then of course the switch over to Hades' perspective of the dinner party and the War of Troy. It's refreshing. I also would like to briefly comment on the images on the introductory page. It's nice to be able to add a place as to where this dinner party and story telling is taking place and the imagery provided definitely helps the imagination and overall context. Of course the underworld and the general idea of Hell itself has many different images and connotations depending on the individual and culture, the posted images are something that I find interesting and they add some flair to a decently written storybook. Overall I like the layout of this storybook and especially how it is broken down into chapters in the top right corner of the web page. It makes it easy for the user to skip around and view the storybook.

2) Hell On Earth
https://sites.google.com/view/hell-on-earth/introduction

The Inferno According to Dante, Source: Google Images https://images.app.goo.gl/e3WVrC2e354TTKCUA

So this storybook is a little different from the first one that caught my eye. The introduction is very thought provoking when it comes to the concept of Hell, but then again so is Dante's Inferno. Either way the creator of this storybook provides food for thought when it comes to Hell. The idea that Hell is a physical place where individuals are punished seems to be one of the main understandings, at least throughout the Western world. Of course, Christianity provides a huge role in the concept of Hell as well that many, if not all of the Western world is extremely familiar with. Dante's Inferno is a piece that I ended up reading my senior year of High School and I became obsessed with the levels of punishment and this overall idea and view of Hell. The creator of this storybook brings up a good point, how can Hell be a physical place? Instead the creator suggests that it is a state of mind in which individuals put themselves in and can pull themselves out of. This is a very refreshing perspective to read about. Growing up in a strict Christian family Hell is something that is a place that ones soul goes to due to sins committed while living. However, the older I get the more and more I relate with this concept of Hell being a mindset as well. Personally, I am an over-thinker, I create problems for myself before they even exist and so to view Hell as a mindset hits just a bit close to home. When I first read Dante's Inferno in High School I was intrigued by the concept of there being multiple levels to Hell. This storybook does a good job in piquing my interest enough to merit continuing through what is written and provided on this topic throughout the project. Overall I think this is a good storybook and I will probably read it a second time because it is enjoyable and provides decent background information for the audience. It is formatted a bit differently than the first storybook that I found, however it is not inconvenient to navigate through and does provide images to aid the imagination.

3) The Goddess Isis
https://sites.google.com/view/isisstorybook/introduction

The Goddess Isis c. 130 A.D. 

Source: Google Images

https://images.app.goo.gl/yV6odAzQ1UkcphvJ8

This is a bit of a different storybook than the others that I stumbled across and that caught my attention from the main website provided. I found this interesting because I've always had a bit of interest in Egypt and Egyptian stories and the reasoning behind everything that created it. As an Anthropology major I find myself constantly over-analyzing cultures and the ways in which stories can connect the past with the present. This storybook on the Goddess Isis is very interesting and provides a change of pace from the macabre Hell discussions previously written. I like the introduction to this storybook because the creator uses this story as a way to introduce a strong, independent, woman. The creator provides decent enough introductory background information of ancient Egypt and the role that stories played in the society and culture of it all. Like the other storybooks, I like the layout, it is easy to navigate and there are plenty of images to help with the story-telling aspect of it all. The overall story seems to be about the lengths the Goddess Isis will go to save her family, the loyalty behind it all, and the overall strength and power of a woman. 

Well, with that third storybook I conclude my three favorite storybooks that I found thus far. Thanks for reading my thoughts! :) 

One of my Favorite Places

Hello!

Ireland is one of my favorite places. I haven't had the chance to visit yet but it is definitely on my bucket list! It is gorgeous.


 Ireland

(Image originates from Pixabay collections) 

Ireland, landscape roadway

Source: Google Images

https://images.app.goo.gl/Q5FVEmmciP2VTFrX9

Taking This New Blog For A Spin

Hello!


I'm just testing this blog out to make sure everything works correctly! This is very exciting and I hope that this will be not only entertaining but informative. Stay tuned.

-Lethia