Monday, December 7, 2015
Reflections
Wow, it is so hard to believe that the semester is over. I have really enjoyed my time in this class. I was talking about it to a friend of mine today. All too often, we spend so much of our time writing research papers that we never get to create. I have loved getting to take the time to create. I feel like as a writer it took me awhile to develop my own style. I look at the first story in my portfolio and it clings closely to the real story. By the end of my portfolio I was adding a lot more creativity. I loved having others read my stories. I loved how they would critique me and affirm me. I hope I was able to do that for others. I think the most important thing I learned from this class think through the questions that were left unanswered and imagine different possibilities.
Sunday, December 6, 2015
Portfolio Introduction
This Portfolio is going to be focusing on the stories that were not told. Oftentimes when we read stories, questions are left unanswered and the reader wants to know what happened with a particular character or situation, so this Portfolio will give some potential scenarios with a modern twist.
Till Death Do Us Part: A story of a woman who remained faithful and true to her husband when all seemed lost.
My Wife is a Psychopath : A story of a man trying to wrestle with the horrible reality he has found himself in.
The Cycle of the Sun: A story of two unlikely lovers and the secret that separated them.
No Mother Should Have to Bury Her Child : A story of a civil war that tore a family apart.
The Bridge to Heaven : A story of a lonely boy who did the impossible and found hope.
It is hard to pick a favorite story out of my portfolio. Personally, my favorite part of this portfolio is seeing how I changed as a writer from "Till Death Do Us Part" to "The Bridge to Heaven." If you only have time to read one story, then I recommend "The Bridge to Heaven." This story is very personal to me. I used my future mother-in-law as inspiration for the teacher, and I used advice my own mother gave me growing up. I hope you enjoy these stories as much as I enjoyed writing them.
Till Death Do Us Part: A story of a woman who remained faithful and true to her husband when all seemed lost.
My Wife is a Psychopath : A story of a man trying to wrestle with the horrible reality he has found himself in.
The Cycle of the Sun: A story of two unlikely lovers and the secret that separated them.
No Mother Should Have to Bury Her Child : A story of a civil war that tore a family apart.
The Bridge to Heaven : A story of a lonely boy who did the impossible and found hope.
It is hard to pick a favorite story out of my portfolio. Personally, my favorite part of this portfolio is seeing how I changed as a writer from "Till Death Do Us Part" to "The Bridge to Heaven." If you only have time to read one story, then I recommend "The Bridge to Heaven." This story is very personal to me. I used my future mother-in-law as inspiration for the teacher, and I used advice my own mother gave me growing up. I hope you enjoy these stories as much as I enjoyed writing them.
Famous Last Words: Week 14
This has been a crazy week for me. I suffered from a pretty serious head injury on Monday and my week was thrown into chaos. But starting tomorrow, I only have two more weeks as a student at OU and my heart is overwhelmed. I haven't done many Famous Last Words post so I wanted to do one to reflect on my time in this class. I really enjoyed what I learned here. To my surprise, I was able to work on my writing skills tremendously. That was a pleasant surprise. I love that I was able to make connections to my Greek and Latin Heroes and Epics class. My favorite part of the class was being able to let my mind run free and create. Rarely in my college career have I had the opportunity to write a story. All too often I research and report my findings. This class truly was a joy. I also think this class was a good class to take my final semester. I learned that I have a lot more to offer than just reporting information.
I have learned a lot about myself over this whole semester too. I am incredibly nervous to be ending my time at OU in a two weeks. This class is just one of the little gems OU has given me. I ran into a student on Wednesday. She was sitting in on two of my classes. I walked with her back to her car and was able to talk to her about OU. Not only was this a great chance for me to convince someone to come to OU, but it was a nice moment for me to reflect on my career here. I always say OU is the most magical place on earth, and it's true. It is my Disneyland. I am sad to be leaving. I will be attending law school in the fall. I have received many great offers, and it appears that I will probably be leaving and not staying here. It is hard to leave the place we call home. Where ever we go though we take home with us. I am excited to begin new adventures and new journeys.
In the words of Garth Brooks "I will sail my vessel 'till the river runs dry."
Wikicommons
I have learned a lot about myself over this whole semester too. I am incredibly nervous to be ending my time at OU in a two weeks. This class is just one of the little gems OU has given me. I ran into a student on Wednesday. She was sitting in on two of my classes. I walked with her back to her car and was able to talk to her about OU. Not only was this a great chance for me to convince someone to come to OU, but it was a nice moment for me to reflect on my career here. I always say OU is the most magical place on earth, and it's true. It is my Disneyland. I am sad to be leaving. I will be attending law school in the fall. I have received many great offers, and it appears that I will probably be leaving and not staying here. It is hard to leave the place we call home. Where ever we go though we take home with us. I am excited to begin new adventures and new journeys.
In the words of Garth Brooks "I will sail my vessel 'till the river runs dry."
Wikicommons
Storytelling Week 12: The Bridge to Heaven
"Good morning, class, please have a seat."
"Good morning, Mrs. Myers."
"Kids, gather round. I want to tell you a story about chasing a dream."
"What is the story called?" said Sally.
"It's called The Bridge to Heaven."
"The story begins with a little boy about your age. He was a very sad little boy," said Mrs. Myers.
"Why was he so sad?"asked Sally.
"Well, Sally, this boy had lost both of his parents in a car accident when he was a baby and was now living in foster care. This boy had a dream. He wanted to see his parents again. One night while he was sleeping, an angel came to his bed and said, 'God has heard your prayers, sweet child. But it will not be easy. Here is what you must do,' and the angel proceeded to tell the boy that he needed to build a bridge to heaven to see his parents again."
"But, Mrs. Myers, that's impossible. How can he build that bridge?" asked Sally.
"Oh, Sally, you ask so many questions, haha. The boy had to find a lot of bricks. He would go to the empty lot next to the foster home and steal bricks from there. As soon as he touched the bricks, they became invisible, so no one would know what he was doing. He also turned invisible while he worked on the bridge."
"Wow," said the whole class in unison.
"He worked on building the bridge for fifteen years. He was twenty when he finally finished it. He was ready to climb the bridge to see his family again. So he climbed for two days and two nights until finally he saw a bright light and a big shiny golden gate. He went to the gate and knocked, 'Excuse me, are my parents here? May I please see them?' the boy said. 'Who are you?' asked the guard. 'I don't know. My parents died when I was so young. I forgot who I really am. That is why I am here to meet them. I want to find out who I am,' replied the boy."
"Did the boy get to meet his parents?" asked Jim.
"Yes, he did. He parents came outside the golden gates and talked with him for many days. He learned a lot of things by talking to his parents. He learned his dad was a scientist and his mom was a heart doctor. They laughed and they cried. But the most important moment for the boy came when his dad said, 'Son, you didn't need us to know who you are. You have known all along who you are. Look at this bridge you built! Look at this big dream you chased, son. You are a dreamer. Go back to earth and chase another dream.' So the boy went back to earth, and he began working to help other kids who had lost parents like he had."
*Ring*
"Okay, kids, time for lunch."
The kids ran out of the room like wild animals. Then Mr. Sim came into Mrs. Myers' room. "Why do you always tell the kids that story?"
"I want them to know that nothing is impossible. All too often we try to tell them what they cannot do. I want them to know that the only thing that defines them is themselves."
Author's Note:
Thank you for taking the time to read my story. I really had a lot of fun writing this one. This story is based off the story of the bridge to Lanka from the Ramayana. Crossing the water to Lanka seemed like an impossible task for Rama, but then he was told that a monkey named Nala could make rocks float. So, they were able to build the bridge and cross the water. I refer to this story in two ways: the bridge and the impossibility of the task. I also wanted to focus on dreaming big because I honestly believe people have stopped chasing their dreams. I personally wish people would never stop chasing them. My mom always told me that I could be anything I wanted to be, and I believe her. Building a bridge to heaven to see a loved one really is an impossible task, but luckily in stories we can do the impossible. Unlike the story of the Bridge to Lanka, my character had no help building his bridge. I wanted to show the main character as strong and independent. I also chose a story time setting because I felt like it was an ideal way to share the deeper message of my story. So that is the inspiration behind my story.
Bibliography:
Ramayana by Buck. 1976.
Image Information:
Heaven
"Good morning, Mrs. Myers."
"Kids, gather round. I want to tell you a story about chasing a dream."
"What is the story called?" said Sally.
"It's called The Bridge to Heaven."
"The story begins with a little boy about your age. He was a very sad little boy," said Mrs. Myers.
"Why was he so sad?"asked Sally.
"Well, Sally, this boy had lost both of his parents in a car accident when he was a baby and was now living in foster care. This boy had a dream. He wanted to see his parents again. One night while he was sleeping, an angel came to his bed and said, 'God has heard your prayers, sweet child. But it will not be easy. Here is what you must do,' and the angel proceeded to tell the boy that he needed to build a bridge to heaven to see his parents again."
"But, Mrs. Myers, that's impossible. How can he build that bridge?" asked Sally.
"Oh, Sally, you ask so many questions, haha. The boy had to find a lot of bricks. He would go to the empty lot next to the foster home and steal bricks from there. As soon as he touched the bricks, they became invisible, so no one would know what he was doing. He also turned invisible while he worked on the bridge."
"Wow," said the whole class in unison.
"He worked on building the bridge for fifteen years. He was twenty when he finally finished it. He was ready to climb the bridge to see his family again. So he climbed for two days and two nights until finally he saw a bright light and a big shiny golden gate. He went to the gate and knocked, 'Excuse me, are my parents here? May I please see them?' the boy said. 'Who are you?' asked the guard. 'I don't know. My parents died when I was so young. I forgot who I really am. That is why I am here to meet them. I want to find out who I am,' replied the boy."
"Did the boy get to meet his parents?" asked Jim.
"Yes, he did. He parents came outside the golden gates and talked with him for many days. He learned a lot of things by talking to his parents. He learned his dad was a scientist and his mom was a heart doctor. They laughed and they cried. But the most important moment for the boy came when his dad said, 'Son, you didn't need us to know who you are. You have known all along who you are. Look at this bridge you built! Look at this big dream you chased, son. You are a dreamer. Go back to earth and chase another dream.' So the boy went back to earth, and he began working to help other kids who had lost parents like he had."
*Ring*
"Okay, kids, time for lunch."
The kids ran out of the room like wild animals. Then Mr. Sim came into Mrs. Myers' room. "Why do you always tell the kids that story?"
"I want them to know that nothing is impossible. All too often we try to tell them what they cannot do. I want them to know that the only thing that defines them is themselves."
Author's Note:
Thank you for taking the time to read my story. I really had a lot of fun writing this one. This story is based off the story of the bridge to Lanka from the Ramayana. Crossing the water to Lanka seemed like an impossible task for Rama, but then he was told that a monkey named Nala could make rocks float. So, they were able to build the bridge and cross the water. I refer to this story in two ways: the bridge and the impossibility of the task. I also wanted to focus on dreaming big because I honestly believe people have stopped chasing their dreams. I personally wish people would never stop chasing them. My mom always told me that I could be anything I wanted to be, and I believe her. Building a bridge to heaven to see a loved one really is an impossible task, but luckily in stories we can do the impossible. Unlike the story of the Bridge to Lanka, my character had no help building his bridge. I wanted to show the main character as strong and independent. I also chose a story time setting because I felt like it was an ideal way to share the deeper message of my story. So that is the inspiration behind my story.
Bibliography:
Ramayana by Buck. 1976.
Image Information:
Heaven
Saturday, December 5, 2015
Tech Tip: Hashtags and Retweets
https://twitter.com/OnlineMythIndia/status/560806391741689857
I retweeted this tweet because I really liked the cat picture that had a little grammar lesson with it. I really enjoyed that. For hashtags I was curious about the on this day in history. So I started following them. I hash tagged sooners and was interested in all the different accounts that popped up. Twitter is so fun!
I retweeted this tweet because I really liked the cat picture that had a little grammar lesson with it. I really enjoyed that. For hashtags I was curious about the on this day in history. So I started following them. I hash tagged sooners and was interested in all the different accounts that popped up. Twitter is so fun!
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Reading Diary B: Divine Archer
Still struggling with my brain injury so reading is still very difficult. I didn't know the story of Vibhishana. He is Ravana's brother but he is loyal to Rama. This could be a good story about betrayal. I still like the story of the monkey's tail catching on fire and him burning the city. I think I could make a good story out of it. I think it is interesting that everything tries to convince Ravana to not go to war, but he is stubborn so he goes to war. Sita has kids and they are raised without their dad. So sad. I want to know what happens to Sita after she goes with Mother Earth. I really think it is sad that she proved her fidelity this way. But it is alright. At least her reputation was restored. To me this kind of ties into the Greek idea of kleos.
Reading Guide
Reading Guide
Reading Diary A: The Divine Archer
Sorry if this reading diary post is a little off. I am currently suffering from a severe concussion and reading today was very difficult. I am reading another version of the Ramayana. I think the scene where Kaushalaya sees Rama turn into a god then back to a baby is interesting. The turtle thing was interesting. The note on the reading guide helped me understand it, because I thought it was odd. I don't think I have heard about Parashurama before. I didn't know that Rama and his three brothers married on the same day. That could be a story to write about. Siblings getting married on the same day. Rama's exile fulfilling a curse is an aspect I have yet to focus on, but I could write a story about that. I didn't know that Shurpanakha tried to seduce Lakshmana too.
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