Reading Notes: Cherokee "First Fire"

This is the Cherokee Indian's story explaining how fire was first discovered or achieved. The Thunders placed fire on the cold earth within a hollow tree. Several animals tried to get close to the fire to discover it but were unable due to the fierce heat coming out of the top of the tree and the water that surrounded the tree. The Indians use those the outcome of each animals attempt to possess the fire as a way to explain why the animals have red eyes or why they are black. Eventually a water spider was sent to try and possess the fire. The spider put a burning coal in its bowl and we have had fire ever since.

My thoughts: this was a cute way to explain how animals and fire developed and could make an interesting story for week tens writing assignment. I could use any animals I wanted and maybe even change the element the animals are seeking out.

Bibliography: Cherokee "First Fire" Myths of the Cherokee written by James Mooney (1900)
Cherokee: First Fire

Fire

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Famous Last Words "My Dogs Are Like Family"

Dozer

We have all heard stories of children claiming their family dog ate their homework. I know most of us think that the likely hood of such a situation taking place is unrealistic. Don't think my purpose is to change your opinion, but on occasion I KNOW that it does happen. Ask me how i know, go ahead ask me. That's right, I know because my dog ate my homework. In fact, it must have been a conspiracy between my three dogs; Dozer, Toby, and Lexi. While Dozer, my bulldog, pulled everything out of my backpack. Toby, my male shitzu, found his favorite thing to chew on, my pencils. He must have gotten bored of the pencils because he moved on to my notebook, which contained my homework. To top things off, Lexi, my female shitzu, decided to eat through my tablet charger and that was only the beginning of my week.

Lexi

Toby

Over the weekend, Dozer decided to aid the smaller dogs in another adventure. As I was doing my homework, I put the dogs in the backyard to play. After about fifteen minutes, my stepson came to be me yelling that someone had my dog and was walking away with her. Now you might think after the events that occurred earlier in week that I might just let them have her, but no. Anyway, I walked outside to find my neighbor holding Lexi and trying to get Toby out of her backyard. My neighbor handed me Lexi, who seemed excited to see me,  and helped me get Toby out of her backyard. Naturally, I thanked her for her help and for watching out for my dogs. After all they are part of my family. Once again, I found myself asking how my dogs were able to get themselves into such a situation? As I walked into my backyard, I discovered that Dozer ate through our fence. He made a hole just big enough for the two smaller dogs to escape. It is truly amazing that my famous last words are still my dogs are like family.

Story: "The Gods Confidence"

Men and women have worshiped pagan gods for as long as I have been alive. Considering that I am seventy years old, I consider that to be a considerable length of time. My great ancestors have passed down stories of the gods for many generations before mine. For many generations to come the stories will live on. The gods have favored many men, while imposing their wrath on others. When I was younger, I questioned the gods confidence. Who were they to decide the fate of the humans? Who were they to decide my fate?

My father took his family to the pagan temple everyday. Everyday he would pray for mercy from the gods. He would always offer the gods the best sacrifice he had to offer. Sometimes his sacrifice meant I would have nothing to eat that night. My father's faith in the gods never wavered despite his families' hunger. He praised the gods until the day he died, poor and hungry.

My family carried on my father's religious rituals. They continued to visit the pagan temple and pray for mercy from the gods. They believed that my father was given passage to the next world through the gods favor. Why were they so sure my father was favored by the gods? Had he not died poor and hungry?

After my father passed, my brother and sister became deathly ill. They refused to buy medicine. Instead, they offered what little money we had to the gods. I was furious! What had the gods ever done for my family? What had the gods ever done for me? My brother and sister became so ill that they could no longer make the journey to the pagan temple. My brother gave me the last of our money and told me to visit the temple without them. "Hurry along, your sister is not expected to live through the night, my brother said."

Sacrifice to the gods

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As I walked to the pagan temple I became enraged. I entered the temple, but I did not make the sacrifice. How could I place my brother and sisters fait in the gods hands? I couldn't! At first, I just stood in front of the wooden statue sobbing. Then I picked up the knife that was used to make sacrifices to the gods. I swung the knife at the statute as hard as I could. The statue's head rolled away from its body and stopped in front of my feet. What had I done? I looked around to see if anyone was coming. Maybe I can just put the head back on before anyone notices, I thought. As I approached the statue with its head, I saw something shiny. Gold! It was filled with gold!

 I loaded my pockets with as much gold as they could hold. On the way home, I bought my brother and sister some medicine with the favor of the gods. Never again did I question the gods confidence or that my father found safe passage to the next life. I know one day my brother, sister, and I will be reunited.



Author's Note:
"The gods Confidence" was inspired by "Humans and Gods." The original story goes like this. In the old days men used to worship stocks and stones and idols, and prayed to them to give them luck. It happened that a Man had often prayed to a wooden idol he had received from his father, but his luck never seemed to change. He prayed and he prayed, but still he remained as unlucky as ever.

One day in the greatest rage he went to the Wooden God, and with one blow swept it down from its pedestal. The idol broke in two, and what did he see? An immense number of coins flying all over the place.

Bibliography: "Humans and Gods" written by Jacobs 41. The Man and the Wooden God (Perry 285)

Humans and Gods

Reading Notes: "Humans and Gods"

Wooden Idol

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In the old days men used to worship stocks and stones and idols, and prayed to them to give them luck. It happened that a Man had often prayed to a wooden idol he had received from his father, but his luck never seemed to change. He prayed and he prayed, but still he remained as unlucky as ever.

One day in the greatest rage he went to the Wooden God, and with one blow swept it down from its pedestal.

The idol broke in two, and what did he see? An immense number of coins flying all over the place.

My Thoughts: I think this story will be a great inspiration for this weeks story assignment.

Bibliography: "Humans and Gods" written by Jacobs 41. The Man and the Wooden God (Perry 285)
Humans and Gods

Reading Notes: Native Americans: Hiawatha "Four Winds"

This story was very interesting not so much for its content but because it was written in the form of a poem. I think I would like to write a story using this kind of format. The story describes some of the hunting practices of the Native American Iroquois tribe. The story is called the "Four Winds." The name of the story is what first caught my attention. I studied Cherokee language and culture for a year and a half. I find Native American culture to be very fascinating. I am going to copy an excerpt from the poem to show how beautiful this poetic style of writing is. The picture I have included is a book cover for a story about Hiawatha, an Iroquois Indian.

Shades of Hiawatha

Photo & Book Info

 Silently he stole upon him
Till the red nails of the monster
Almost touched him, almost scared him,
Till the hot breath of his nostrils
Warmed the hands of Mudjekeewis,
As he drew the Belt of Wampum
Over the round ears, that heard not,
Over the small eyes, that saw not,
Over the long nose and nostrils,
The black muffle of the nostrils,
Out of which the heavy breathing
Warmed the hands of Mudjekeewis


Bibliography: The Song of Hiawatha. "Four Winds" written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1855). Hiawatha: Four Winds

Reading Notes: Cherokee "The Owl Gets Married"

Beautiful Owl

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The Cherokee story "The Owl Gets Married" is similar to some other stories I have read from different cultures. A young maiden is looking for a husband. Her parents advise her to marry a good hunter. Several suitors made proposals and eventually she picked one. The young man claimed to be a good hunter, but after they were married that did not appear to be the case. One day the women followed her husband. She watched him turn from a man into an owl. She confronted her husband that night and kicked him out of the house. The owl sat in the forest. He was consumed by grief until nothing remained but his head.

My thoughts: The ending of this story is horrific. It could be used as inspiration for a very dark tale.
Bibliography: Cherokee: "The Owl Gets Married" written by James Mooney (1900).
The Owl Gets Married

Review: Announcent - Oct 3rd Event on Campus

To find out more about this weeks daily announcements follow the link. Weekly Announcements. The University of Oklahoma always has something fun and exciting going on campus. I hope you took the opportunity to hear this amazing professor from Princeton University. I am very passionate about studying religious diversity.

Event on Campus: There will be a Middle East Social Hour from 9:30AM-10:30AM in the Boren Lounge in Farzaneh Hall; it's a chance to meet Jack Tannous, a professor from Princeton who specializes in the history of Syriac Christianity and the Arabic Bible; he is one of the founders of the syri.acwebsite (details). Find out more about this and other events at the Campus Calendar online.

October 3rd Event

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Famous Last Words "Here I Go Again"

I can only imagine that anyone who has been ready my famous last word blogs is tired of hearing about the LSAT, but here I go again. Now that we are mid-way through the semester and I have already took the LSAT exam in SpetemberI have decided to take the LSAT in December. The decision was made without receiving my September LSAT score. No matter how well I did on the exam I am sure there is always room for improvement. My score might be high enough to get me accepted the law school I want, but it is important to score well in order to scholarships. Law school an be very expensive and scholarships can really help make school affordable. No one want to get through school and be bombarded with extremely high school loans. I am going to try a different approach to the second half of this semester. Naturally, I will try to do my best, but I will not study to the point of exhaustion. By the time I took the September LSAT, I was unable to really focus because I was mentally and physically drained. I have started taking walks with my dogs and eating more healthy. I need to work on getting to bed by 11:30 pm. When I go to sleep around that time I wake up feeling refreshed, otherwise I am a unfocused mess. I plan on using some of my growth mindset videos to help me stay relaxed but focused. It was difficult to wrap my mind around studying for the LSAT for another two months, but in the end it will be worth it. When it comes to fulfilling your dreams and reaching your goals there is no sacrifice to great. You know you have made the right decision when you feel determined to do what you set your mind to, so here I go again!    

LSAT Raw Scores

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"Week 8 Growth Mindset"

I love all the growth mindset videos and articles I have read this semester. I have posted a blog about some of my favorites. They have been helpful to me as I struggle to get through my Senior semester. They have helped me reflect on how far I have come academically and emotionally. Studying for an exam like the LSAT has been very challenging. This test is designed to push you mentally and it makes you think in a way that most of your education has not prepared you for. It is difficult to feel like it is not something that I naturally excel at. The things I practice to have a growth mindset include: staying positive, making myself realize just because I don't succeed at first does not mean that I wont reach my goal. Staying on a routine for eating and sleeping really seems to help me. I think I could improve my mental clarity if I would exercise for at least thirty minutes everyday, which I currently don't do. Yesterday I walked my bulldog, Dozer about a fourth of a mile. He looked like he was about to die from the heat, but it helped me relax. I feel like I started my academic career wanting praise from other people. I wanted people to be proud of me, but I soon realized I only want to be proud of myself, and I am. My favorite growth mindset video is the one I posted featuring Will Smith. When I feel frustrated I just take a minute to listen to it. The music is very inspirational and he talks in a calming manner.

I Have Three Dogs but I feel Like This...

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"Week 8 Reflections" A Look Back

I have had the opportunity to read a wide variety of mythology and folklore throughout the first half of this semester. When choosing what stories I want to read I look for topics that intrigue me. I look to look at the same topic in different cultures. This allows me to compare and contrast how different cultures portray love, work, and power. I have enjoyed reading when I take a break from my LSAT preparation. It allows me to relax and take an adventure without ever leaving the comfort of home. My favorite stories were from "A Peep at the Pixies," which is why I chose to use them as inspiration for my storybook project. The stories from the African Congo were also very moving. I feel like they are serendipitous of life in the Congo.

Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs

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Looking forward I think I would like to read stories from the Native American: Cherokee section. For example,  The Owl Gets Married   written by James Mooney (week 9/10). I know animals were very symbolic in Cherokee culture. I actually studied Cherokee for a year and half. My Cherokee name is Tohiama. It means "peaceful water."

Tweedledee & Tweedledum

I came across different stories from Alice in Wonderland. I might just read all of those! For example, I want to read Tweedledum and Tweedledee written by Lewis Carroll (week 11/12).

I also came across some Snow White stories. For example, Snow White and Rose Red written by Margaret Hunt (week 13/14).

There all kinds of interesting stories in (Week 9-14) Indian Epics section. For example, Chopra. Ramayan . I don't know where to begin, but I know I'm excited to see what kind of adventures I can discover over the second half of the semester.

Wikipedia Trail: from "Leather" to "Form-based Code"

This week my Wikipedia trail began at the word leather. Leather is a durable and flexible material. It produced by tanning animal rawhide and skin. The leather cattle hide is used to cover furniture and to make various types of clothing.

From the word leather my Wikipedia trail led me to the word heavy industry. Heavy industry refers to an industry that makes large and heavy products. An example of this type of industry is machine tools and steel fabrication.

From heavy industry my Wikipedia trail led me to the word zoning. Land is divided up into zones according to the areas authority. Zoning plans are enacted by law. An area can be zoned for commercial or private use.

My final word on this weeks Wikipedia trail is form based code. I had never herd of a form based code before this weeks Wikipedia trail. A form based code (FBC) is a means of regulating land development to achieve a specific urban form. Form-Based Codes foster predictable built results and a high-quality public realm by using physical form (rather than separation of uses) as the organizing principle,


                       Leather Material
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Learning Challenges: "Overcoming 5 Common Learning Challenges"

It can be difficult to oversome learning challenges, but there are things we can do to help.
Five of the most common learning challenges include:
1.  Lack of Motivation-try to are learning environment inspiring and engaging to keep your interest
2.  Busy Schedules-reduce the material to smaller learning sessions so it is not overwhelmingly time          consuming
3.  Belief that learners should be tech savvy (I can relate to this one)-transfer learning material into a medium that you are comfortable with
4.  The belief that learning offers no support-study with a classmate and ask each other questions when you feel unsure.
5.  Learners can't see real life implications of the learning course-Think about how the material will apply to your line of work in the future

Take a New Approach to Learning
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Bibliography:
"How to Overcome 5 Common Learning Challenges" Learning Industry
written by Christopher Pappas
How to Overcome 5 Common Learning Challenges 

Tech Tip: Pinterest

 I have created a Pinterest widget. To follow me or just view my Pinterest account simply tape on the Pinterest logo located in this blog. 

Growth Mindset: Encourage Yourself

Believe in the possibility that you can overcome challenges and adversity. If you have a fixed mindset your brain is not allowed to consider new possibilities. If you make mistakes, understand that you now know what doesn't work and continue to seek out new possibilities. Don't give up!

Reading Notes: "Gold Tree and Silver Tree"

The "Gold Tree and Silver Tree" is similar to the story of "Snow White." The king had a wife named Silver-tree and a daughter named Gold-tree. Silver-tree asks a trout if she is the most beautiful. The trout informs the queen that her daughter Gold-tree is the most beautiful. This enrages the queen and she wants to eat the heart and liver of Golden-tree in order to become the most beautiful. The king sent Gold-tree to marry his son and offered the queen the heart and liver of a goat. When the queen asked the trout again if she was most beautiful, the trout explained that Gold-tree was still the most beautiful. When the queen learned that her daughter was alive and married, she asked the king to go visit her. When Gold-tree saw her father's ship, she feared Silver-tree had come to kill her. As Gold-tree placed out her finger for her mother to kiss, the queen stabbed it with poison. Gold-tree fell to her death. The prince kept her body locked in a room and he kept the only key. The prince remarried and the new princess found Gold-tree. She removed the poisonous stab from her finger and she arose alive and well. The prince kept both wives, but the queen soon discovered Gold-tree was alive. She came for a second visit and offered her a poisonous drink. The prince's second wife told the queen it was custom to take the first drink when offering one to another person. The queen placed the cup to her mouth and the second wife tipped the cup, ensuring the queen got the poison in her mouth. Silver-tree died and was sent home to be buried. The prince and his two wives lived happily ever after...


Silver Tree
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Bibliography:
Celtic Farytales: "Gold Tree and Silver Tree" written by Joseph Jacobs

Gold Tree and Silver Tree

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 .

 

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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