Week 1 Review

Here's my favorite announcement I found during week 1's review. 

Knowledge is Power link to announcement

I grew up hearing this statement a lot from my parents. They really valued education. More than wealth or status, knowledge is always more powerful.

Famous Last Words for Week 1

This has just been the first week of the semester but I am already on the ground running. I guess since I am a junior now, there really is no “syllabus week” not even syllabus day really… Learning happens on the first day.

Things are still a bit overwhelming and I need to find a good routine to get the hang of things. My classes are a bit intimidating at the moment. They are difficult and require a lot of work. For instance, this week I experienced my first cadaver dissection experience. It wasn’t as terrifying as I had imagined. I’m more terrified of the massive amount of information I will need to learn from it. It’s going to be brutal but it’s interesting, enjoyable, and relevant to what I want to do for my career.

I am really glad that I was able to explore the idea of growth mindset during this course. I think it has made me open to changing my learning style. Hopefully this will help me be successful in all of my classes as well as my career in general. I really think that a growth mindset can drastically change my learning experience in a positive way. I don’t know exactly how I will be able to change my fixed mind but hopefully this course will guide me.

I’ve also realized with this course that writing is pretty fun and therapeutic. In my previous experiences, it was a bit tedious to me but with this class, there is a lot of freedom to write about the things that I want to write about.

So far, I think things are going pretty well and I am excited and terrified at the same time for the semester.  We’ll see in the coming weeks how things progress. Hopefully it will be positive.

It's only the beginning and I already feel this way. flickr

Tech Tip: Blogger Template

To make my blog a little bit more personal, I changed my layout design. I really like simplicity so I chose one that didn't have a background or too many wild colors. I did customize it a little bit by changing the font, just to give it a bit more character. If you haven't already, you should re-design your own blog too! 

Learning Challenges H.E.A.R.T

For life in general, I think that overall health and happiness are the most important to me. A good health gives me the opportunity to be able to do what I love to do. 

My goal is to live a healthier lifestyle. I don't have the best eating habits or a strong will to exercise. So, I know I need to work on this area more and it has become a new challenge for me as the new year starts. 

Happiness is also an absolute necessity in life. Without happiness, what's the point? Of course it's impossible to be happy at all times of your life and sometimes bad days and pain is necessary for a person to grow, but I think it's extremely important to realize that circumstances can always change.

In the context of focusing on just school, then I would have to say that time is the most important and by far the biggest challenge. It's extremely difficult to not procrastinate and to be efficient. Especially when there is something that you really don't want to do, you put it off until the very end. I think this is really hard for anyone to overcome but I do think that it is possible. Managing time well is probably a very big factor in one's happiness and health. Procrastination leads to an extreme amount of stress which should be avoided. Every year, I try to work on time management more and more. It's a slow process and some days I am better with my time than others but eventually, I hope to become a more efficient person. I think what has helped me best with managing time is by being organized and keeping a planner. This way, you can see in advance what needs to be done and you won't forget something. Writing your schedule down helps you accomplish tasks.

Carpe Diem and Procrastination Link to online source

Changing My Mindset to a Growth Mindset

      I have never heard of Carol Dweck before or the theory of growth mindset, so I am really glad that this class introduced me to the concept, because I think the "fixed mindset" is something I personally struggle with. I am one of those people who didn't necessarily feel challenged all throughout high school. I could usually get by without really learning much and still get a really good grade, and at the time, I was okay with that. Most people acknowledge my outcome. They ask me what grade I got instead of what I actually learned. I felt good whenever I was praised for getting a good grade on something. Sometimes a good grade reflects good effort, but a good grade doesn't reflect overcoming a challenge. It didn't really hit me until college how much effort I needed to put in to get good outcomes. Sometimes when I didn't get the grade that I wanted, I wanted to give up and I told myself that I just wasn't good enough. I hit a ceiling quick. I slowly, and quite painfully learned that working hard always trumps being smart and the dumbest thing a person can do is quit before they have really even tried.
     At OU, I realized that learning is the main goal of it all. Not just getting a good test score or getting an A. I don't have the best grade in some of the classes that I learned the most in. I realized it doesn't do anyone any good by getting a good grade if you never truly learned the material. Critical learning has been the most difficult challenge throughout my college career. Mostly, I try to cram the information right before a test and sometimes that can get me through one exam but then I forget it and find myself in a predicament when finals roll around.  I appreciate the opening statement of the video because presentation and wording although deemed simple, can actually have a really big outcome on the way a person perceives something.
     I am really hoping that I can change my thinking to a growth mindset so that I can continue to want challenges instead of just doing whatever is the easiest. I hope that I can realize again how fun learning can be and that it really is a marathon and not a sprint. I'm taking Human Anatomy and Physiology of Microorganisms this year which is a bit terrifying. I know they are going to be challenging and are going to require a lot of work. I hope that with a new mindset this semester, I will be successful.

Growing with a Growth Mindset (Kevin Hodgson) flickr

Storybook Favorites

      After searching through several Storybooks that didn't quite capture my interest,  I came across one titled Tales of Beauty and the Beast. I clicked on this storybook and found the cover to be very pleasant. I am already familiar with the story of Beauty and the Beast. I enjoyed the story as a young girl and still do even now. The title is very straightforward so it doesn't give me any surprises about what the Storybook is about. The introduction starts off a bit whimsical which grabs my attention then slowly goes into more detail of what the Storybook is about. I may be interested in starting off my introduction in this format too. The layout of the page is very simple and easy on the eyes. The content is also organized well.

Tales of Beauty and the Beast Link to cover page

      I was also intrigued by Biblical Romances. Since I am familiar with the couples in the Bible, I wanted to keep reading more about what this Storybook was about. I liked the introduction because there was a fun twist on typical biblical relationships. Usually, the writing in the Bible can be pretty dry especially when talking about romances that would normally be very interesting to read about. The author introduces the stories to be of fun and silliness and takes the reader on to explore a different point of view about the couples in the Bible. It's really interesting to take well-known Biblical characters such as Mary and Joseph and give them more of a back story of their love life than the Bible provides.

      Scrolling through more of the Storybook titles, I came across one that said The One with All the Stories. I got excited because I know that all of the episode titles of the show "Friends" starts with "the one with....". Soon enough, I was looking at the cover page of a picture of all the "Friends" characters. I remember watching the show when I was younger and I also re-watched the whole series recently. Most of the stories we come across in this class are stories that have been around for a very long time. I liked how this Storybook took a well-known pop culture reference to tell another story. It's easy to relate to and the reader can better visualize the story as they read it. I liked how the picture was at the very top and center with the title underneath it.

     All three of these Storybooks have a layout that is easy to navigate through which is something I want to keep in my project. Also, a big picture as the first page always does a good job at grabbing the viewers attention.

UnTextbook Brainstorming Overview

For my first unit to read next week,  I chose to explore Aesop's Fables (Jacobs).
I normally enjoy fables because they portray really good life morals and are presented in a way that is easy to relate to and understand. I browsed through the Insects, Snakes, and Crab section and noticed the fable of the Ant and the Grasshopper and immediately recognized the story from the Disney movie "A Bug's Life" which I really enjoyed watching as a kid. I think it would be fun to read about these fables. Though they may be presented in a simple manner, you can learn so much from them and I think it really helps in developing a sense of character as a human being.

A Bug's Life Disney Original Movie Flickr

Some other topics I found interesting include...

Beowulf  : I remember watching "Beowulf" and also reading about it in high school for my senior English literature class. It's been a few years since then and I remember enjoying the story but not quite remembering all of its details. I'm interested in re-reading the battles that Beowulf had to overcome.

Italian Popular Tales : I went to Italy this past summer to study abroad so anything Italian catches my attention lately. I'm familiar with some of America's popular tales so I was curious as to see what Italian popular tales included and how they differed from American tales.

Europa's Fairy Book : I really enjoy classic stories so when I read in the overview that this unit would include some familiar tales such as "Beauty and the Beast" and "Cinderella", I knew I would be interested. I am curious to see what kinds of twists and turns will be made for these classic tales.

Introduction to a Microbiologist

Hello you!

      My name is Hae Young and I am currently a 21-year-old junior at the University of Oklahoma. My major is Microbiology and I hope to continue my education further by going to PA (Physician Assistant) school and then finally becoming a PA. At least, that’s the current plan. Who knows for sure where I’ll end up in the future. For those of you who have never been exposed to Microbiology, it is painful, interesting, exhilarating, amazing, and frightening all at the same time. Most of the time, you grumble through the work as it can be tedious in all honesty, but then you come across more often times than not, something really incredible and inspiring which reminds me why I stick with this major. The best thing about Microbiology is that it is challenging. It’s also relevant to everyone, everyday.

Who said growing bacteria on a Petri dish is boring? (by Nathan Shaner) Wikipedia 

     I was born and raised in Oklahoma all my life, spending most of my time growing up in Moore. I graduated from Moore High School in 2013. A lot of people find Oklahoma boring but I really love this state because you get to become extremely close to the friends and family around you. Southern hospitality is also very real in my experience. I’ve spent some time abroad too. Just last summer, I went on a month long study abroad trip to Italy with a stop in Greece before I started my program. It was one of the best experiences of my life (as cliché as that may sound, it’s true) and I recommend traveling out of the country at least once during your college career.

      When I’m not studying for school, I’m usually doing what typical college students do on their free time. I hang out with friends and family, Netflix, and sleep; a lot of sleep if time permits. Currently I keep up with The Walking Dead and I’ve also started binge watching Grey’s Anatomy this past winter break. I’m debating if I should watch Game of Thrones. Everyone keeps telling me to but I’m not so sure if it’s a good idea to start that now while the new semester has started. Other times when I am free and feeling creative, I pursue photography. 

     I’ve already mentioned in a previous blog, but over this past winter break, I went on a ski trip with my friends to Keystone, Colorado. I’ve been there about 5 or 6 times now. I started off skiing but I really disliked the uncomfortable ski boots so I switched to snowboarding, which I enjoy a lot more now even though I found it more challenging. If you have never gone skiing or snowboarding, it’s a must!

Week 1 Storytelling: Journey to Our Holiday Home

      Every year, the Carrolton’s visit their holiday home in the deep woods of Wisconsin. The mother, Carol, being the anxious type, always packs their luggage two weeks before the trip. Benjamin, the dad, prepares for the 5 hour drive by filling up the car with a new tank of gas and making sure the spare tire is intact. Candice is a 15-year-old high school teenager who would rather spend time with friends at the mall than go on a week long trip with her boring parents and annoying little brother. As for the annoying little brother, his name is Todd and is 9 years old and still hasn’t outgrown his love for batman and his hobby of catching frogs.

      During their journey to their holiday home, they encounter some unexpected frightening experiences. They make their first stop at the slaughterhouse because that’s the only place you can find some juicy meat to grill for dinner. The family walks in apprehensively to the empty barn that smells of something rotting. They open the creaking door and find themselves greeted by an axeman with the strangest smile and a piece of raw meat hanging out of his mouth. Little Todd, takes a quick look around the back of the shop and sees a mountain of old shoes, clothes, and socks -mostly covered in blood. Puzzled and fearful of whom those items might belong to, Todd dashes behind his dad and tugs on his jacket whispering “Dad, we gotta get out of here.” Benjamin, being a courageous dad, continues to act calm with the wild axeman and asks for his best piece of meat in house to grill a nice steak meal. The axeman immediately begins to butcher up 20 pounds of meat while snickering to himself. As he is packaging up the meat, he asks with his upper lip curling at the ends “Would you like some liver, heart, or brains, to go along with that? It’s mighty fresh and well seasoned.” At this point, Carol’s motherly instinct kicks in as she grabs her children’s hands tightly and starts to back towards the door. Benjamin throws $100 on the counter saying a quick “thank you” and “keep the change” as the whole family sprints off to the car. They all flop into the car and Benjamin drives away quickly as the tires screech. He glances back into the review mirror to see the axeman waving his bloody axe with that same sickening smile across his face that gives everyone the chills.

      Candice immediately begs her parents to turn the car back around and to go home but Benjamin is adamant about enjoying their holiday and reassures the family that the previous man that they met was probably harmless. They travel for another mile until they reach their holiday home and start to move in their bags from the car. They walk into the home and a cold brisk air slaps them in the face. Benjamin starts the fireplace while Carol begins to start dinner. Candice and Todd fight over which station they want the radio to play when all of a sudden there is an emergency news broadcasting. “Warning, escaped convict loose in the area. Please call 9-1-1 if there are any signs of a 6-foot tall male with dark brown hair, brown eyes, and last seen wearing an orange jumpsuit. He has been in prison for committing treacherous crimes including mass murders. He escaped sometime this morning.” As soon as they hear this news, Carol looks out the sink window and freezes from washing her hands as she notices an orange figure running in the distance. Now, the Carrolton’s are all frightened and all they can think is to run. The Carrolton’s leave all of their things behind and immediately bolt out to the car to escape from such a horrible place. They drive away from the direction Carol last spotted the possible escaped convict. They try to call 9-1-1 with their cell phones but realize that there is hardly any wireless service. Benjamin notices that the fuel tank is low and decides to stop at a gas station 10 miles away from their holiday home. “Surely someone there will lend us a phone and we’re probably far enough away from the murderer to be in any danger,” said Benjamin.

      At the gas station, Benjamin fills up the tank and goes inside with his family to make a phone call. They walk inside, only to run into some spider webs and call out “Is anybody here?” Just then, an evil old witch popped out and cast a spell on the Carrolton’s. The witch erased their memory of what they had experienced on their way to their vacation home. When the Carrolton’s snapped back into reality, they woke up in their home, all with bothering headaches and they couldn’t remember any details regarding their journey or how they got back home. It was as if they had all just woken up from a bad dream.

Holiday Home - Cabin (Photo by user: Unsplash) Pixabay

Author’s note: This short story was inspired by Tom Gauld’s “Map of the Area Surrounding our Holiday Home,” which consists of a map and a key of random nouns. Most of the words listed give off a spooky vibe, which is why I was drawn to write about something a little menacing. I randomly chose the words: axeman, slaughterhouse, escaped convict, and witch and let those words and my imagination take me on a narrative journey.


Bibliography: Map of the Area Surrounding our Holiday Home, a cartoon by Tom Gauld from his book ROBOTS, MONSTERS Etc., 2006. Link to Online Source

My Favorite Place - Keystone, Colorado

One of my favorite places is Keystone, Colorado where I often visit to go snowboarding. I love the mountains and the snow, so the breathtaking scenery always makes me happy. I recently went back to Keystone this past weekend for a ski trip with my friends and had a blast.

Keystone Colorado by Rudi Riet Wikimedia Commons