Reading Notes: Aesop's Fables: The Lion

Caption: The Lion of Fables

Link: http://www.longlongtimeago.com/once-upon-a-time/fables/from-aesop/the-fox-and-the-lion/

Aesop's Fables: The Lion

Link: https://sites.google.com/view/mythfolkloreanthology/fables

The thing I like the most about an Aesop Fable is not the moral that comes at the end of the story but rather how the story seems to just appear. They need no more background than a simple sentence of introduction and the story begins as if it was always there. 

The stories are also shorter, but they convey a large message. Every word in an Aesop Fable is necessary and meaningful. There is very little fluff.

I also like that the characters come with a distinguishable personality. The personalities are divulged in such a way that it is clear who the foe/sly/victor/passerby is. 

Reading Options

Caption: All the reading.

Link: http://www.wafb.com/story/13065476/cheaper-than-buying-online-sites-offer-textbook-rentals

The Alice in Wonderland Unit

Link: http://mythfolklore.blogspot.com/search/label/Unit%3A%20Alice%20in%20Wonderland

My mom used to read Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll to me every night in second grade, but I wasn't old enough to retain enough of the story to remember now. I think it would be interesting to go through and re-read a book that created so many good childhood memories.

The Brer Rabbit I Unit

Link: http://mythfolklore.blogspot.com/search/label/Unit%3A%20Brer%20Rabbit%20I

My grandma taped Brer Rabbit the show when my mom was little, and she saved it for me to watch when I was small. This was also the debut of the song "Zippidy Doo Da" and my first introduction to someone who was not white. I enjoy African American folklore and would like to read through this unit.

The Arabian Nights Unit

Link: http://mythfolklore.blogspot.com/search/label/Unit%3A%20Arabian%20Nights

Reading the folklore of Scheherazade was so encapsulating! How she became the narrator of the following stories and what the stories meant for her: life or death. Her cunning brain and thought out stories in order to save her country from terror is worth a read.

Time Strategies

Article: The Myth of "Too Busy"

Link: https://booklaunch.com/the-myth-of-too-busy/

Favorite Quotes:

"How am I prioritizing my time?"

"People are often surprised by the number of things I don't do."

I think Grahl was delightfully unapologetic in his approach to debunking "too busy". It's one of those subjects that will not be grasped if sugar-coated. 

Article: How to Beat Procrastination

Link: https://hbr.org/2016/07/how-to-beat-procrastination

Favorite Quotes:

"Identify the first step."

"Yeah, good idea, but... no."

I have had the "Yeah, good idea, but... no." way too often. This mostly applies to computer engineering courses that are highly abstract as the article insinuated. 

I've been trying to tackle this class so far by doing a blog every time I have an hour to spare. This has helped me stay on-task with all the other beginning of the semester things going on. I imagine since this has worked so far, I will try it for next week. It will be nice to have this week out of the way before this evening. It feels good to get something done as the "How to Beat Procrastination" article mentions. 

Caption: Present Bias

Link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/venditti_min_min-venditti/28265593683

Technology Tools Post

I have never heard of Google Sites before, but I am impressed. The layout was enveloping and easy to navigate.

I'm not sure the image editing or graphics creating suggestions are really free or virus free? The PicMonkey website has a free trial, but Cheezburger and Automotivator look sketchy.

I really enjoy how the Class Wiki has a link to take me to the next assignment for the week. This has been helping me to not miss an assignment and stay on track.

Caption: At the end of your fingertips.

Link: https://pixabay.com/en/photos/technology/

Assignments Overview

I think it's interesting that the readings will be broken into two parts, and I find it further interesting that we can choose to just...not do assignments if we do extra credit. I think it makes this class much more flexible. However, I had a friend who took this class last year, and she said it makes it easy to become lazy and end up with a B. I guess it is a personal thing on whether or not you can be disciplined.

I think I will enjoy doing the Tech Tips extra credit. As a computer engineer, it seems to be "up my alley".

Overall, this looks to be a fine online course with clear expectations. I'm just looking forward to stretching my writing and storytelling skills when the Mythology part of it starts.

Caption: Not today, box.

Link: http://sha3teely.com/?p=117

Growth Mindset Blog

The concept of having or not having a growth mindset is not something that has ever been really apparent to me. Watching the first two videos I thought it was just a new way to categorize people, but the third video was in depth in a way that I could picture several people I had met throughout my life who had a fixed mindset about learning. What she said about the thought that you shouldn't have to try if you have natural talent struck me. My baby brother is the track star at his high school. No one in the district can compete with him, but the second he gets to the state finals he can't make the cut. My dad tells him he needs to train better: run more, and practice harder. However, it seems as though he believes the natural talent he has been given by God should be enough to get him the gold, and if he fails he cannot see past the "now" as Mrs. Dweck says. Very interesting way to think about anything, not just education.

Since being at OU and comparing my experience through the "Growth Mindset" concept lens, I can see instances where my mindset has been "fixed" and when I have felt encouraged to grow. In classes that I knew I knew nothing, I generally had an easier time learning with an outcome of an A in the class. If I went into a class knowing that I should know the material, I have always had a rough time and ended up with a B in the class. Instances of this came from Calculus I, Intro to Meteorology, and Data Structures (Programming).

Interesting concept. I'm not sure if it is wise to apply it liberally to education as a "right" per say, but it is a new way to think that could be implemented.

Caption: Process of Mistakes

Created by: Oskar Cymerman

Link: https://twitter.com/hashtag/growthmindset?src=hash&vertical=default&f=tweets

Introduction to a Davis

My name is Carli Davis. I used to be Carli Bishop, but my best friend decided he liked his name better, so he gave it to me along with a ring and a wedding date: August 12, 2017. 

I am an artist, I dabble in do it yourself projects, and I try to cookout as often as I cook in (hello, steak). I am a senior computer engineering student here at the University of Oklahoma. I recently landed an internship in Kansas City for Burns & McDonnell (an engineering consulting company), and they liked me so much that they gave me a co-op and a job. The movie I have watched the most often in my life is most likely a three-way tie between The Wizard of Oz, The Phantom of the Opera, and The Guardians of the Galaxy by Marvel Studios. I am a Jesus follower and a comedy lover. 

Husband and I actually got to go to Cancun, Mexico this summer for our honeymoon. Yes, this was all inclusive, relaxing, and everything I thought a honeymoon should be. I am sometimes a dedicated binge watcher: exclusively for The Office, Friends, and Parks and Rec. 

I am trying to decorate my new tiny studio apartment with coffee-brown furnishings, but apparently there are 5000 more colors of brown than I thought there were. However, a toaster oven goes with any color of brown, so I think we are pretty well set.

Swimming is a great sport. It's actually my second favorite activity to watch when the Olympics are in season after beach volleyball. Katie Ledecky is a stud, and I hope she goes far.

Buffalo Wild Wings has got to be my favorite second day food. You know, most fast/semi fast food does not taste as good the second day. I can think of many examples, including Chillis, IHOP, Subway. B-dubs, though, is consistently just as good the second day. 

If I had one day to do anything, I would go to a peach orchard in the early summer with a big basket and a book. This is seemingly random, yes, but I grew up close to a peach orchard, and there is no smell quite like the sweet smell of peaches in the summer. 

Caption: "Laugh and look pretty please."

Link: http://macinicolephotography.zenfolio.com/p198626155

I gently touched on many subjects about myself that seemed to be interesting. If you have any
"That is very interesting" or "How can I be like you" comments or questions, please feel free to drop those into the comments section. Thank you for reading!

Storybook Favorites

"The Side You Didn't Hear"
Link: https://sites.google.com/site/thevillainsside/home

This storybook's topic is already familiar to me (at least the side of the story that is normally told). The introduction is catching and encourages the reader to continue. It is told with a laid-back, Leeeeet me just tell you how it really is, tone, and goes along as a mini-sequel to three nostalgic and timeless stories told since childhood. Having a picture of the wolf "Henry" facing away from the frame with the sweet Red Riding Hood looking forward adds to the author's point that the characters had been shown the door without a hearing, per say. In this storybook, I liked that there was a different story retelling on each tab as if they were all separate. Also, having the pictures in the middle gives the stories a nice flow and the readers a break from reading. I may want to add this feature to my storybook.

"History Mysteries"
Link: https://sites.google.com/site/chandlersstorybook/introduction

This storybook's topic is mostly familiar to me. I have not heard of "Daniels Blocks" or "The Mystery of Winchester House", but I have heard of Reepicheep and the beloved tales of Narnia. The introduction was not catching to me until I realized the author wrote it as if a book was talking. What a concept! This detail added a whole new level of interest that enticed me to read more. When the author mentioned Reepicheep, I was even more taken, as The Chronicles of Narnia is a book series I have read over ten times through. The image at the beginning of the page is attention grabbing as well. It invokes a feeling of antiquity and history. The part one and part two of the last story is also exciting. Something about a sequel is compelling: it's like the story has more to tell than the author knew. I believe I will want to implement something like this into my storybook.

Caption: Dark Stairwell

Image From: http://zeninthecar.com

"The Sanitarium of HP Lovecraft"
Link: https://sites.google.com/site/deepdarkunknown/home

This storybook's topic is not familiar to me at all. I have never heard of HP Lovecraft and the mystery and hysteria surrounding him. What caught my attention in this introduction was the detail used by the author in their description of the basement mentioned. This opened a door of imagery that required an explanation as to what this particular location was used for and why any person would care to visit. The eerie, black and white stairwell at the top of the page (shown above) invites the reader to think of something dark while reading. The excerpt-like organization of this storybook adds to its mysterious nature. The dating in the story along with the first person accounts makes it seem real and quite fear inducing. I would like to implement these writing strategies into my storybook.

Favorite Place: Sanibel Island, Florida

Sanibel Island, Florida, is a beautiful island off the Gulf coast of Florida. It is famously known as the shell capitol of the world, and it lives up to this premonition. From the beachfront, you can easily see the sun rise in the morning and set in the evening. It rains promptly at 5:30 every day. It takes a good chunk of cash to visit this lovely location, but the investment you put in will not be without return. 

Along with the beautiful sand, the plethora of shells, and the island's eatery, there are many opportunities to relax and unwind such as spa's and other beach vacation amenities such as biking, tennis, and badminton. There are also island shops and book stores for souvenirs and beach essentials. The sand of Sanibel is stellar sand castle material.

My family has had four great vacations on Sanibel Island, and I would give it a 9/10 due to the price of the relaxation. It is a happy place.





Thank you for reading this post #2: Favorite Place: Sanibel Island, Florida. I hope you enjoyed this most riveting of reviews. If you have any more questions about Sanibel Island, or if you have your own experience on the island, please do not hesitate to mention these in the comments section.

Picture Caption and Link:

Shells of Sanibel Island, Florida: The Shell Capitol of the World. 

James St. John from the Flickr web page took this photo, and it is free to use or share.

Link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jsjgeology/25296972951

Test Post: Orientation Week

Hello,

This is a test.

Please refer to the above sentence for further questions about this post.

Thank you for reading.

Signing off,

CD