Famous Last Words: "This is Really Happening"

This semester is going by really fast. Midterms are right around the corner. I have been so wrapped up with getting everything done that I have not took the time to enjoy being a senior. Although I am proud of my accomplishments, I will be sad to leave the University of Oklahoma. Having the opportunity to study at OU has been the best thing that ever happened to me. The best investment I have made in myself.

Educational & Emotional Growth

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Yesterday I went on my admissions interview for law school. I felt like a kid at Christmas. Everything looked so intriguing, all I could think was I cannot wait to have the opportunity to study here. As I left the interview it hit me, "this is really happening!" Everything that I have worked for is within my grasp. It is very exciting.

It is funny to me that I am always such a high anxiety person, but right now I am perfectly calm. I think that is because I am ready for the next step. When I decided to return to college, I felt so much uncertainty, but I have grown both educationally and emotionally throughout my educational career. This growth has given me the confidence to feel prepared.

The admissions officer asked me what I wanted out of my law education. I explained that, I want to know that I put my best foot forward. That I put the effort into my education to get the most I could possibly get out of it. I have almost always lived in Oklahoma. I want to go to law school in Oklahoma and I want to practice law in Oklahoma. I want to help other individuals that feel like they are stuck in a bad situation without a voice. I know what an awful feeling it is to be scared and trapped in a bad situation.

I hope everyone stops to enjoy their senior year because This is Happening!

Review: Announcements

Active v. Passive. As some of you already know, I am a fan of the active voice! For more writing humor, see the Writing Lab blog.

To read this weeks class announcements follow the link.    class announcements

Wikipedia Trail: from "Law" to " Statutory Law"

Balance Within the Law

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It is amazing what you can learn by following a Wikipedia trail. I chose to start with the word law.
Law is formally written rules that govern our society. Most of our laws stem from English common law. The law is governed through social institutions to govern behavior. Society is also governed by informal rules. These are rules that are unwritten but accepted by society to be appropriate.

Religious law refers to the moral and ethical rules set forth by religious institutions. These rules vary across different religions and cultures. Like all social constructs these cultures are not only culturally dependent but they change over time, which means they are temporally relevant.  

Balance Civil Liberty

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Precedent is established through previous court rulings. As laws are overturned or found to be unconstitutional rulings may go against precedent. Sociologist Alfred Godfredd said that today's deviance can become tomorrow's morality.

By the end of my Wikipedia trail I came across the word Statutory law.
Statutory law or statute law is written law set down by a body of legislature or by a singular legislator.  While I chose a topic that was familiar to me, you can chose a topic you are unfamiliar with and learn some new facts.

Learning Challenge: Time Management

There are a lot of ways to help yourself become better at time management. In today's society we are all acutely aware of time, and little time we have in a day! Here are some helpful ways to learn how to manage your time more effectively.

1. Daily Priority
Daily priority means that you have to make working on your goal a daily priority.
2. Schedule
Schedule means you have to schedule time to work on your goal on a regular basis.
3. Assert & Advocate
Assert and advocate means you be assertive and advocate for your time and your schedule.
4. Action
It is necessary to TAKE ACTION in order to follow through on your goal. Each step can be challenging, but taking action is probably the hardest.
Taking action involves letting go, making yourself vulnerable, putting yourself out there, and presenting yourself as a leader. To learn more about time management follow the link Keys to Time Management

Tech Tip: New Template

Color Wheel

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I am experimenting with the different template options for my mythology blog. Some students have said that they like the University of Oklahoma colored template I have been using, but I thought it was time for a change. It was really easy to change so if I don't care for it I can easily change it. Let me know what you think.

Growth Minset: "Socktober"

This is a great video! It places emphasis on inspiring words such as HELP and Empathy. Grover takes this opportunity to encourage people to help the homeless and to use words that inspire others. I hope you enjoy this video as much as I did.

Reading Notes: "Alaska: Raven's Marriage"

Ravens

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The Raven flew with the geese on their way to Summerland. The Raven wanted to get married, but every time he placed his head down and asked if someone wanted to marry him, he was ignored. Soon a whole family of white-front geese came along. There were the parents, four brothers, and a sister. Raven called out, "Who wants to marry me? I am a fine hunter. I am young and handsome." The geese alighted just beyond him. Raven thought, "Now I will get a wife." Raven came across a stone and when he found a girl he liked; he gave her the stone, thus choosing her for his wife, and she hung the stone about her own neck.
The birds all continued on their journey, but they had to keep waiting on Raven. He claimed to have an arrow in his heart that made him tired. The other birds did not believe him and grew tired of waiting on him. As they continued, Raven could go no further and he drowned in the ocean. Then a great wave cast him on the shore. Then he struggled up the beach. He reached some bushes where he pushed up his beak. Thus he became a small, dark-colored man. Then he took off his raven coat and mask. He hung them on a bush to dry. Raven made a fire drill out of dry wood and made a fire. Thus he dried himself.


My Thoughts: This is such an odd tale. I thought the story was going to be about confidence. Who would marry a man who hangs his head? This story could be used as inspiration for a completely different type of story.

Bibliography:
"Alaska: Raven's Marriage"  This story is part of the Alaskan Legends unit. Story source: Myths and Legends of Alaska, edited by Katharine Berry Judson (1911).
Alaska: Ravens Marriage

Story: "Tools of War"

The Congo is a dangerous place to grow up, especially for girls. Women and young girls are often captured, raped, and forced to live in the Bush with the rebel soldiers. Women are not regarded as daughters, sisters, and mothers. They are kept as sex slaves and servants. They are simply tools of war. Their value is to force the will of the grown men who love them. Women and children are easily subdued, but men can fight. When the rebel soldiers capture a man's children or his wife he will kneel to his knees to save them. Unfortunately, few are ever spared for this act of surrender.

Katina was only twelve when the rebel soldiers murdered her mother and father. Her brother, Sampson, was forced to become a child soldier. The rebels forced him to shoot his parents in the head as he cried in vain. Her older sister, Lakka, and her were captured and forced to live in the Bush at different rebel camps. The rebels brainwashed Sampson so bad that he acts like he no longer recognizes his sisters, maybe he truly doesn't. They are strangers to him and he is a stranger to them. This is how the rebel soldiers maintain their control over those they capture. Sampson shot and held Lakka at gun point when she tried to escape. Katrina has not seen Sampson or Lakka in months. It would change nothing even if she could. She is forced to look after the younger children and to cook for them and the rebel soldiers.

Rebel Soldiers 

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Katina did the best she could, but she had never cooked before. Her mother and sister did all of the cooking before they were captured. One of the elderly women in the camp taught Katina to make several different dishes. The children's favorite was a dish that included mangos. The rebels gathered the mangos one or twice a week, along with other supplies. Katina loved to see that the children all got a bite or two of their favorite dish.
It was the only happiness they had.
One day she ran out of mangos and asked one of the soldiers if he would go get more.
The young boy became angry and started yelling at Katina. His shouting alerted the others and Katina was surrounded by the rebels. The soldiers thrashed the area and the young boy shoved his gun in Katina's face. Then he pulled her by her hair into the Bush. One of the men from Katina's village tried to save her, but he kneeled to the ground as the soldier held a knife to Katina. The soldier cut off Katina's arms and legs. Her hero was forced to watch were he kneeled. Once Katina took her last breath, the man's head was severed from his body. The soldiers rejoiced as they dragged  the two victim's lifeless bodies through the Bush. Katina's soul was free, but she prayed for the day when women.and children would  no longer be tools of war.

Author's Note: 

"Tools of War"is inspired by "The Wicked Husband." In the original story a husband and wife fight over gathering food. The husband drags his wife into the Bush and cuts off her arms and legs. He leaves her for dead, but tells everyone she has gone to visit family. Her body is discovered and the husband is burned alive beneath ear his wife's lifeless body. I wanted to use the story to give some insight as to what women of the Congo have endured as tools of war.

Bibliography:

Congo: "The Wicked Husband" written by

Congo: The Wicked Husband

Reading Notes: "The Wicked Husband"

Congo Chief 

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The Congo stories are very tragic and seem to share a haunting similarity. They all seem like they are inspired by real life in the Congo. The Bush is a dangerous place to live, especially for women. In 'The Wicked Husband" a husband and wife argue over gathering food. They had to travel a great distance to get the food and they husband did not want to go gather more. He questioned what his wife was doing with the food. He felt he was gathering more than their family was using. The wife explained that her husband's family keeps asking for the food. She did not want to turn away her husband's family. He finally agreed to go get more food but decided to drag his wife violently behind him. When they were well into the forest, the husband cut f his wife's arms and legs and left her for dead. When he returned to town he told everyone that she was visiting family. A hunter came across the man's wife and brought her to the chief. The women died soon after. The husband was burned beneath his wife's lifeless body as punishment for killing her.
                                                                 
Bibliography:
Congo: "The Wicked Husband" written by
Congo:" The Wicked Husband" 

Reading Notes: "The Jealous Wife"

The story of "The Jealous Wife" was very sad.I could see this being inspired by a true story. A man with two wives leaves to work in the Bush. When he returns he discovers that his eldest wife killed their son. She intended to kill the younger wife's son. The eldest wife was jealous because she felt that the son of the younger wife was more intelligent. She thought that she could get rid of the child while his mother was fishing for the family. After she killed the young boy, she realized she had killed her own child by mistake. She wrapped her son in her arms and fled to the forest. In her grief, the mother rocked the boy in arms and sang to him. She begged him to wake from his endless sleep, but he never did. When the father found her in the woods he poisoned her and spread her ashes in the wind. This story provides a lot of options to write an original story with dark elements. The ending could be changed to create a more favorable outcome.

                                                   Wake From Your Endless Slleep...photo

Bibliography:
Congo: "The Jealous Wife" written by Richard Edward Denette (1898)
Congo: The Jealous Wife

Review: Announcements

Punctuation Humor

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While reviewing this weeks announcements I came across this meme. I can definitely appreciate some punctuation humor. I am guilty of using or not using punctuation correctly, especial apostrophes. Naturally we should all read the lass announcements each week, but sometimes life can get busy. You can review this weeks announcements as well others anytime throughout the semester.

Punctuation. The apostrophe may be your punctuation nightmare, but what if the apostrophe has nightmares of its own...?

Punctuation.                                                                                                                                       

Wikipedia Trail: from " Lagina" to "Arsenic Contamination of Groundwaer"

Arsenic Element

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For this weeks Wikipedia trail I decided to look up random subjects and chose a word I was unfamiliar with. I came across the word Lagina and thought it would be an interesting place to start. Lagina is an ancient cult site for archeologists and tourists. It dates back to the Carian period and exstended under the Seleucide Kings. It has been inhabited since the Bronze Age.

From Lagina my Wikipedia trail got me interested in the Bronze Age. An ancient civilization is defined to be in the Bronze Age either by smelting its own copper and alloying with tin, arsenic, or other metals, or by trading for bronze from production areas elsewhere.

From the Bronze Age I decided to look into Arsenic. Arsenic is a chemical element. It is considered a metalloid. Metallic arsenic is used to make car batteries. Arsenic is also used in pesticides.

Arsenic contamination of groundwater is a form of groundwater pollution that is actually caused by natural high levels of concentrated arsenic in groundwater. This phenomenon can be deadly to both humans and animals.

                   

                                                                
                                                                             

Learning Challenge: Health & Happiness

Three dirty secrets to being healthy and happy include drinking alcohol, gaining weight, and stop cleaning your house. This video makes light of some of the things that statistics have found to create health and happiness. The point of this video is to relax and enjoy life. I especially like the part about taking a day off and not doing any homework. The way to become happy and healthy is to simply enjoy life.

Famous Last Words "I Am Almost There"

I Am Almost There!

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This was my last week to study for the LSAT. I plan to take an LSAT prep test with a friend Sunday and another LSAT Wednesday on campus. I believe the live LSAT prep test on campus will be the exact same test material I took the very first time I took an LSAT exam. I did not study for that test. I wanted to see where I was at without studying. When I take the exam this time I will be able to apply all the techniques I have learned and see how far I have come. Over the past several months I have gained  twenty points on my score so far. I feel good about my progress. Self study is thought to improve your score less than if you take a LSAT prep course or get a tutor. I would have loved the option to take a class or get a tutor, but these options come with a price. They are very expensive. I applied for a scholarship for the online LSAT prep course offered online through Kaplan, but I did not receive the scholarship. I sometimes feel like a scavenger in search of any LSAT material I can get my hands on. Fortunately, there is a lot of free LSAT material online. If you buy the Power Score Bible Series and study from them you will have a good foundation. Then you have to practice, practice, and yes practice! Like I have mentioned in my growth mindset blogs, even if you don't get something right the first time perseverance is they key. Throughout my studies I have been so nervous to take this exam, but as of now I feel confident. I am so excited to have my admissions interview set up and the exam just around the corner. Once I get accepted the real work will begin, but for now I am almost there!

Feedback Focues Techniques

Read Out loud and Pay Attention to the Details

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Reading out loud, copying and deleting, and using a timer are all helpful ways to focus your attention in order to provide constructive feedback. Each technique's usefulness may vary between individuals. Reading out loud has always helped me remember what I have read and helps e catch thing that do not sound right to me. Maybe the passage does not flow well or something seems out of place. It may also make me aware that the argument or explanation of something does not seem fully flushed out. I had never tried the copy and delete technique before, but I found it to be really helpful. It allows you to focus on the key elements you as a reader picked up on while you were reading. By writing your comments in the margin, you are able to easily recall what you were most interested in discussing in your feedback. Unfortunately, using a timer while reading (or doing anything) does not work well for me. I am a high anxiety person, their for when I know something is being timed my focus turns to the timer rather than the task at hand. I think I will use some of these techniques as I study for the LSAT. This is my last chance to focus on the details of the exam.

GROWTH MINDSET: Motivational

This is an amazing motivational video. Today I was struggling to get myself to school after finding out my grandpa John passed away. I had an exam and needed to find a way to focus my energy on the test. This video shows the determination of the human spirit. We have to dig deep and decide to succeed. My grandfather was a strong man and know I can find inner strength due in part to him. My husband always reminds me that even though getting through school can be difficult at times, it is a choice I made for myself. My choice to invest in my future has allowed me to become the person I want to be, someone I am proud of. I hope this video will inspire you to do something great today.

Tech Tip: Resized Photoss Using PicMonkey

Imperial Pixies
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It took me several tries, but I resized my photos for my storybook introduction using PicMonkey.com. I am using two different photos for the introduction, but for some reason the pictures kept changing to the same photo. It was like magic, really irritating magic. I am not certain how I finally fixed it. Follow the link below to see how the pictures turned out.  
  The Imperial Pixies: Introduction

Reading Notes " An Accident in Rome"

Paper of The Pilate

A wagon stuck in a pot hole allowed the owners of the wagon to discover a underground tunnel. Master Frances lowed himself into the hole using a rope. He discovered a door in the darkness. He opened the door to find a man setting before him. The man was reading something he had written repeatedly. Master Francis asked the man who he was. The man finally said, take off your shirt and as you leave I will write my name on your back. The Pope is the only one who is to read it. The man would not answer any other questions. Master Francis signaled for the men to pull him out of the hole. When he reached the top, he was unrecognizable. It was as if he had aged and was now an old man. Master Francis sought out the Pope and asked him to read his back. The Pope read the words "I Am Pilate" on his back. Master Francis instantly became a statue after the Pope uttered the words. It is said that the man was Pilate, who was condemned to stay in a cave, always reading the sentence that he had pronounced on Jesus Christ, without ever being able to take his eyes of the paper. This is the story of Pilate, who is neither saved nor named.

Bibliography:
"An Accident in Rome" written by Thomas Frederick Crane 1885 An Accident in Rome
Man Holding Paper Photo www.fotolia.com

Story: " Desire Out Of Necessity"

Once upon a time, there lived a hard working man named Ashleigh Alexander, who desperately wanted to find a good woman and get married. He longed to have the kind of relationship his parents' have. His parents feared for their son and warned him that many women would want to marry him for the wrong reasons and may seek to deceive him. Ashleigh was a man of stature and wealth. He worked hard because his parents taught him that a wise businessman will work alongside his employees. Ashleigh stood to inherit a substantial estate beyond his self-made wealth. Ashleigh took his parents warning to heart and listened to the characteristics they thought Ashleigh should look for in a potential wife. Although Ashleigh's parents realized he was looking for a beautiful wife they begged him not to be fooled by attraction. Look for a woman who is independently happy and can support herself. If she does not desire you out of necessity, she will want you to desire.

Ashleigh soon discovered that his parents were right, many women wanted him. Unfortunately few women matched his parents criteria. Ashleigh attempted to court several different women, but those who were happy lacked independence, and those who were independent lacked beauty. Ashleigh was starting to feel like he would never find a wife. He met his parents for dinner to discuss the matter. As they talked a woman named Alex could not help but overhear. She could hear the sadness in Ashleigh's voice as spoke about his desperation to find love. Alex knew what it was like to long to have someone. She had been in love before, but she had never married. Ashleigh noticed that Alex kept glancing at him. When his parents excused themselves for the evening, Ashleigh approached Alex. She invited him to have a seat at her table. They talked until the restaurant closed, it was as if they were old friends catching up.

Beautiful Couple

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Ashleigh let Alex do much of the talking. He was careful not to discuss anything that would allude to his status or wealth. Alex seemed to glow as she spoke about her life. She loved her job and seemed to be a brilliant stock broker. They each discussed their goals for the future and began to think the other held a place in that future. Ashleigh took a long look at Alex and thought this is it. Alex is beautiful, happy, and independent. She does not desire me out of necessity so she will want me out of desire. Before Ashleigh knew it, he was asking for Alex's hand in marriage. Alex was surprised to hear herself saying yes. Ashleigh kissed Alex goodbye as he rushed to tell his parents of their engagement. His parents were suspicious of any women who would agree to marry after only one encounter. Ashleigh assured them that Alex was both happy and independent. They could see that their son was truly in love and they were happy for him.

Ashleigh and Alex spoke every day, but did not see one another until their wedding day. The church was decorated beautifully and Ashleigh could not wait to see his bride walk down the aisle to him. Everyone was in their respective places as the music began to play, but Alex did not enter. People began to chatter among themselves in curiosity. Ashleigh's parents looked at him with a disapproving stare. Ashleigh thought to himself, I know Alex. She would not leave me standing here alone without just cause. He walked outside to get some air and saw Alex at the bottom of the church stairs. She was setting in a wheelchair, something she never mentioned as the sat across from each other the night they met. Alex said I wanted to tell you, but I did not know how. I did not want you to think I needed you. Ashleigh wiped away her tears, picked her up, and carried her to the end of the aisle. It is I who need you, Ashleigh said. (707)   

Author's Notes:

My story is inspired by the "Blind Man." The young maiden was taught what characteristics to look for in a potential husband. A blind man who overheard these characteristics made himself appear a good potential husband. The women, not realizing he was blind, accepted his marriage proposal. Several things occurred that seemed out to the young maiden, but the blind man always offered a plausible reason for his actions. The young maiden's father suspected the man was blind and set out to prove it. The young maiden's father proved the man was blind and ran him off from his home. The blind man came across a man who could not walk. The men agreed to help one another. Along their travels the blind man came across a venomous snake. The venom got in the blind man's eyes and on the other man's legs, they were both cured. The blind man returned to his wife. She was happy to see him. When she realized he could see, she was even happier.

Bibliography:

Laos Folklore by Katherine Neville Fleeson with photographs by W.A. Briggs (1899) 

Laos: "Blind Man" 

Reading Notes: " The Lovers’ Leap"

Forbidden Lovers

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Once upon a time...A beautiful maiden and her true love were separated by the maiden's father. The two lover were forbidden to even speak to one another. Many suitors tried to catch the attention of the beautiful maiden but she longed to be with her true love. The lovers secretly meet and he true love asked her to marry him, against her father's wishes. The couple was soon spotted by one of her father's men who called for her father. They took off on his horse and were soon pursued by her father and his army of men. The reached the top of the hill and were left with no place to turn. They looked into each others eyes as they leaped off the mountain. They had hoped to reach the other side but their hopes fell flat and the fell to their death in each others arms.

My Thoughts:
This is a classic but sad love story. It ends in tragedy, but the emotion of the lovers can be felt as you read their story. It was very moving.

Bibliography:
Laos: The Lovers’ Leap The Lover Leap

This story is part of the Laos unit. Story source: Laos Folk-Lore by Katherine Neville Fleeson, with photographs by W.A. Briggs (1899).

Reading Notes: "The Slaying of the Tanuki"

Tanuki

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Tanuki observed a man and a hare's friendship. Tanuki despised the man and would often steel the food he left for the hare. The man sought to kill Tanuki for this transgression. The man laid a trap for Tanuki and waited. He plan to catch him and then eat him. The man's wife was easily tricked by Tanuki's kind words to help her pound the rice. The Tanuki killed the woman and started to cook her instead. Tanuki assumed the wife's form in order to trick the man. When the man finished eating his own wife the Tanuki revealed himself to him. When the man realized what he had done he ran to the woods. The hare promised to help the man get revenge. They built two boats and tricked Tanuki into
getting into one that would quickly break in two. Tanuki drowned in the water and the old man and the hare lived happily ever after knowing the avenged his wife's death.

My Thoughts:
I thought it was fun to read this story. I have a friend who chose this as a nickname on a game. I did not know anything about Tanuki, and now I do. She is a wicked quarrelsome beast.

Bibliography:
Japanese Fairy Tales: The Slaying of the Tanuki Story source: The Pink Fairy Book by Andrew Lang and illustrated by H. J. Ford (1897).The Slaying of the Tanuki

Famous Last Words: "I Edited My Writing"

Editing Your Own Writing

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How many times have you finished writing an essay, short story, Facebook post, or even a text and thought to yourself that your words were well thought out, only to discover it does not even read as  English? The answer is all the time. My brain and my hands do not function with the same speed and capacity, which often results in gibberish. I am certain that this happens to everyone, despite our efforts to prevent such mistakes. When I have a writing assignment I always upload my paper to Paperrater.com. It is an online tool intended to catch mistakes within a writing sample that Word may have overlooked. Despite the fact that I read my paper, check Word for errors, put my paper through Paperrater.com. a variety of errors still get through the cracks. Reading your paper out loud is always a good way to catch grammatical errors, but when you have read something several times error tendencies may increase. The brain has the capability to read material as it is intended to be written rather than what is actually written. This is why it is helpful to do peer review among students. Someone who is readying your writing for the first time does not know what to expect, therefore their brain is depending on the actual writing to tell them what they are reading about. They are more likely to catch the grammatical errors your brain overlooked. I am looking forward to the storybook project feedback from peer review next week. This will allow us all to work out the problem areas of our writing. I will continue to check for writing errors through Word, Paperrater.com, and reading out loud. If anyone comes across a mistake or two among my writing just remember my famous last words "I edited my writing."

Review: Class Announcments

To learn more about A World of Languages  take a look back at this weeks class announcements .

 

Map

As this infographic explains, "There are at least 7,102 known languages alive in the world today. Twenty-three of these languages are a mother tongue for more than 50 million people. The 23 languages make up the native tongue of 4.1 billion people. We represent each language within black borders and then provide the number of native speakers (in millions) by country. The color of those countries shows how languages have taken root in many different regions."You can see a Full Size Image Here

Learninng Challenge: Reading

The LSAT has two logical reasoning sections, one logic games section, and one reading comprehension section. I have excelled in the logical reasoning and do well in the logic games section, but I have struggled with the reading comprehension section. As I was searching for information on how to become a better reader I came across a great YouTube video. They give ten ways to improve your reading comprehension. I thought they had some good ideas, many of which are recommended by LSAT prep companies.

Growth Minset: Will Smith

Will Smith's words are very inspirational. He discusses the difference between talent and skill. Talent is natural and skill is crafted through a strong work ethic. It is developed over time and it is not dependent on race, gender, or social class. Skill is only dependent on the amount of effort you invest and your capacity to believe you can bring about change in your life. Even talented people will fail if they do not craft their skill.

More Reading: Persian Romance

Persian Fairies

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This story is a conflict between the light and dark; good and evil. Between these rival powers ceaseless warfare prevails; but at the end the prince of darkness will be subdued, and peace and happiness prevail beneath the righteous sway of Ormuzd. From this sublime system of religion probably arose the Peri or Fairy-system of modern Persia. The Deevs and Peries wage incessant war with each other. Like mankind, they are subject to death, but after a much longer period of existence; and, though far superior to man in power, they partake of his sentiments and passions.We are told that when the Deevs in their wars make, prisoners of the Peries, they shut them up in iron cages, and hang them from the tops of the highest trees, exposed to every gaze and to every chilling blast. Here their companions visit them, and bring them the choicest odours to feed on; for the ethereal Peri lives on perfume, which has moreover the property of repelling the cruel Deevs, whose malignant nature is impatient of fragrance. When the Peries are unable to withstand their foes, they solicit the aid of some mortal hero. Enchanted arms and talismans enable him to cope with the gigantic Deevs, and he is conveyed to Jinnestan on the back of some strange and wonderful animal.

My Thoughts:
This story provides information about fairies, which the Imperial Pixies are in opposition with in my storybook project.

Bibliography:
Oriental Romance: Persian Romance Persian Romance

Wikipedia Trail: from "Devon" to "Roman Empire"

Devon is a county of England. Fairytales often portray pixies to have lived within Devon. I discovered Devon as a origin of pixies as I was researching information for my storybook project. Devon is also referred to as Devonshire. I have not decided which form of the word I will use within my storybook. Devonshire seems somewhat more formal to me. The origin of the word Devon is British. This plays fits nicely with my storybook, which takes place in Great Britain, under the Roman Empire.

Roman Britain was the area of the island of Great Britain that was governed by Roman Empire, from AD 43 to 410. Roman Britain was governed by emperors. The Roman Empire usually refers to the post-republican, autocratic government period of Roman civilization, centered on Rome and its successor capitals on the Italian peninsula, from 27 BC to 395 AD. Great Britain is a large island in the North Atlantic Ocean. It is the largest island in Europe.

I think intertwining Roman Britain's history with mystical fairytales is going to make my storybook very intriguing. The whole experience of writing a storybook is a fun adventure.

Tech Tip: Introduction link; Google Sites

I am enjoying creating my storybook project. My cover page and introduction are now published on Google Sites. There is a link on my cover page to the introduction. They will continually be edited as the stories take shape, but I have added some beautiful pictures to each chapter. Follow the link below to follow my storybook progress.

Pixie Tales: The Imperial Pixies by Heather Sizemore

The Imperial Pixies

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Tech Tip: Google Site Website

I have created my project page. I cannot wait to start on my storybook: "Pixie Tale: The Truth About The Pixies"! Creating a storybook cite is a new experience for me. Follow the link below to access my storybook as it unfolds...
https://sites.google.com/site/hsizeproject/

Pixies Are The Most Beautiful Creatures

Pixie photo

Story: "Show Her Favor Once More I Pray"

Once upon a time, there was a maiden whose beauty was beyond compare. Her eyes were as blue as a summer sky with hints of emerald green. Her beauty was pure inside and out. The gods looked upon her with favor. The townsmen adored her and many suitors called upon her, but she refused them all. Some began to think she thought herself to good for any one of them but that was not the case. The young maiden was simply so pure of heart that she could not chose but one, only to hurt the others. Each night before she took to sleep, she prayed to the gods to help her chose.

The next day when the maiden's decision was due the suitors, she stood before them faint of heart. Each of the three suitors were handsome, hardworking, and would be an honorable husband. As her heart raced she became dizzy and fell to the ground. The men gasped and fell to her side to pray the gods would heal her and bless their union, but the gods did not reply. The suitors watched with tearful eyes as she faded from this life.

In their grief the suitors each went their separate ways. The first suitor traveled far from the place where the maiden fell. He tried to keep his mind busy so it would not entertain thoughts of joining his sweet maiden in the afterlife. The second suitor stayed near the maidens memorial and made sure it was allows covered in fresh flowers. The third suitor spent day and night praying to the gods to show the beautiful maiden favor once more. If she cannot yet again walk among men , let her walk among the gods, he prayed.

The Beautiful Maiden Favored By The gods

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On the rise of the seventh sun the second suitor found the beautiful maiden laying among the flowers he had placed on her memorial. He was amazed that she took breathe once more. When the other suitors heard of this miracle they came to honor her and to claim their bride. The first suitor claimed that the gods favored his travels and returned her to him. The second suitor announced that the gods had honored his loyalty to his grief and returned her to him. The third suitor was pleased that the maiden would once again walk among men and he thanked the gods for showing her favor.

The air that was once filled by the suitor's disagreement now stood silence as the goddess of love shined bright before them. The goddess told the first suitor that he mourned the beautiful maiden as a father would mourn his only daughter. She went on to tell the second suitor that he mourned the beautiful maiden the way a son mourns his mother. Then she turned to third suitor and spoke of his selfless prayers to see the maiden restored to life in this world or the next. She told him that he was the only suitor to mourn the beautiful maiden as a wife and therefore the gods would favor their union.

The beautiful maiden was pleased to find someone who would lover her so much that he wished for her life and happiness above his own. They joined hands and walked as husband and wife, and they lived happily ever after.......the end.

Author's Notes: My story was inspired by the Goblins: The Three Lovers, but I changed the story to include the gods, specifically the goddess of love. She would chose the maidens true love. "Goblins: The Three Lovers" is a paradox of a beautiful young women who cannot decide which of three suitors to marry. The young women becomes ill and dies before the three men's eyes. Each one mourns her death differently, but one of the men found a spell that could return her to life. Once the beautiful girl was among the living once again the men argued as to whose wife she should be. The man who found the spell acted as a father, the man who set her bones in the river acted as a son, but the man who slept with her ashes acted as a lover. He would be the young women's husband and she is wife.

Bibliography:
"Goblins: The Three Lovers" translated by Arthur W. Ryder, with illustrations by Perham W. Nahl (1917).
""Goblins: The Three Lovers"

Reading Notes: "Goblins: The Three Lovers"

Her Husband Slept on a Bed of Ashes
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"Goblins:The Three Lovers" is a paradox of a beautiful young women who cannot decide which of three suitors to marry. The young women becomes ill and dies before the three mens eyes. Each one mourns her death differently, but one of the men found a spell that could return her to life. Once the beautiful girl was among the living once again the men argued as to whose wife she should be. The man who found the spell acted as a father, the man who set her bones in the river acted as a son, but the man who slept with her ashes acted as a lover. He would be the young womens husband and she is wife.

The Three Lovers  translated by Arthur W. Ryder, with illustrations by Perham W. Nahl (1917).

Review, Announcements Week 4

It is important and fun to read the class announcements
Fairy Tale books. Since many of you in Myth-Folklore will be browsing the Freebookapalooza this weekend, I wanted to share this nifty poster of Fairy Tale Composers and Collectors.

Announcement photo 

Famous Last Words; "I Will Learn to Get Up Early"

women resting photo

This week time management has been an important factor, which is why I posted a learning challenge for time management. Studying for the LSAT on top of a full course load has been challenging, although I believe I have a good handle on it at this point. The holiday weekend will allow me extra study time to get caught up on any studying or homework I have. I have a Monday, Wednesday, Friday schedule on campus, which leaves me Tuesday, Thursday, and the weekends to study and complete my homework. Time management will be an important skill throughout my life and I am sure it will be important to most individuals reading this blog post as well. Graduate school or Law school will  require a lot of class and study time, along with an internship. Practicing law as a career will also require a lot of time management skills. I tend to pick a school schedule that does not require me to be at school before eleven thirty each day. My husband laughs at me every time I  complain about having a schedule that temporarily requires me to get up early. I definitely need to be more disciplined about going to bed early in order to become more of a morning person, which I currently am not. When I was younger I use to tease my parents for going to bed by nine fifteen every night, but now I understand why they did. It is much easier to get up in the morning is you go to bed at a reasonable hour and feel refreshed when you have to wakeup early. I will not have the luxury of choosing my schedule for very much longer. Most courts start going through their dockets at eight o'clock on the dot. Considering that my mother taught me to always be at least ten minutes early for any appointment, I will be getting up very early!

Learning Challenge: Time Management

Give Yourself Time  photo

30 Time Management Tips For Work-Life Balance" written by Frances Booth gives some insightful tips on ways to manage time wisely. I will list my top ten favorites here and you can follow the link I have provided to see which tip you think would best work for you. 

•  focus your efforts positively on the things you have time for (don't focus on things you do not have time for).
•   Schedule software updates to take place at night so they do not take your daytime hours. 
• values your time and others will value your time as well.
• Get an adequate amount of sleep so you can focus when time is limited.
• If you are procrastinating determine why?
• Keep track of where you spend your time. At the end of the week review and determine what areas need amended.
• Limit activities that drain your time and energy.
• Take mini breaks throughout the day to recharge your energy and focus. 
• Don't underestimate the time required to perform important tasks and factor that into your schedule.
• Do not try to force things to happen in a limited time frame. Let things happen in natural time. This will eliminate some stress that can be caused by rushing around.

Bibliography:

"30 Time Management Tips For Work-Life Balance" written by Frances Booth

Forbes Time Management Tips

Wikipedia Trail: from "Team" to "Motivation"

Oklahoma Sooner photo

My Wikipedia trail for week 4 started at "team" , suggested to me by my step son, Landyn. He is a huge sports fanatic. A team is a group of people or linked together in a common purpose. For example, the University of Oklahoma's football team works together to complete a variety of plays set forth by their team leader, their coach.

Team constructing or "Team building" uses collaborative tasks to enhance team unity and define roles within the team. Overtime these tools are thought to improve the teams performance, especially organizational performance.

"Organization development" is the study of successful organizational change and performance of teams over time. Organizational development is thought to influence the motivation of teams. These studies began in the 1930.

"Motivation" is a theoretical construct used to explain certain behaviors, such as actions, desires, and needs. A team that is not motivated to win usually performs badly, but a team that is highly motivated to win has a better chance of doing so.

Growth Mindset: "Never Give Up"

This is a cute YouTube video that encourages students not to give up if they do not succeed the first time they try something. Your brain is like any other muscle in your body. The more you exercise your brain the stronger it will become.