Review : Humorous Class Announcement, Week 2

Anyone who knows me might think that it is funny that I have a picture of a cat on my blog because I really do not care for cats. I am absolutely a dog lover, but this weeks announcement meme fits me. I am not a morning person and can be very grumpy in the morning; especially if I get woke up before my alarm.

If you would like to read this weeks class announcements or look at some cute memes that Professor Gibbs has made follow the link below. Class Announcements


Rough Mornings photo

Wikipedia Trail: from "Family" to "Social Structure"

Family
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"Family" is where my Wikipedia trail began. When most people think of family they think of a group of individuals that are biologically related. The actual definition of family is a bit more broad in nature. Family can refer to individuals that simply co-habitat. The concept of family has evolved over time as gender roles have become more fluid.

From "family" my Wikipedia trail led me to "socialization." Those who study the social sciences consider socialization to be the lifelong process of learning a cultures social norms, values, and beliefs. Parents are a key factor in socializing their children to behave in a way that society agrees is appropriate. When  individuals violate social norms they are said to be deviant. Deviance much like family, gender, and reality are all social constructs. They are culturally dependent and temporarily relevant.

From "socialization" my Wikipedia trail led me to "agency." Agency is an individuals capacity to act independently. In essence it is an individuals ability to act of their own free will without outside influences.

Some examples of  outside influences, referred to as "structures," are things such as social class, religion, gender, ethnicity, and customs. Social structure is the patterned social arrangements in society. These arrangements tend to influence the behavior of the individual within society.

Growth Mindset: Memes

I am sure we have all heard that we can accomplish anything we set our minds to. It may have seemed generic to you at the time, but it is true. It takes hard work and determination but you can reach your goals. We often have to get out of our own way, which means getting out of our comfort zone. It is never to late to try. I will be forty years old when I complete my B.A., in Political Science, but I was going to be forty either way, at least I will have something to show for it.



Practice Makes Purr-fect
growth mindset memes.blogspot.com

Learning Challenge: Empathy

Show Empathy

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The article "Everything Doesn't Happen For A Reason," written by Elana Premack Sandler, discusses some important things to keep in mind when trying to be a friend to someone who is having a hard time. It can be difficult to show sympathy for someone who is in a  situation you have never experienced, but sympathy and empathy are not the same thing. Although you have not been through the same experience you can still empathize with the pain they are going through. Premack explains that somethings simply cannot be fixed. A person may have to learn to deal with their experience and work through their pain. It is important to let them know that you are there for them, even if it is just to listen to them process through their emotions. It has been my personal experience that when you are ready for something to stop hurting it will, but it is a process.


Bibliography:
"Everything Doesn't Happen For A Reason" written by Elana Premack Sandler L.C.S.W.,M.P.H
Everything Doesn't Happen For A Reason

Reading Notes:The Lady Of The Silver Bell

Serena and the full moon

looking on at the full moon

             A child named Serena was said to be blessed by Pixies. She was the only child of a great Baron. She was educated and talented in the arts. She was a good girl, religious. She would never miss church unless she was ill. She had made a promise to Father Hilary to always attend. If she were to break that promise the Pixies would no longer be good to her.The gossip around town spoke of the wrath of the Pixies. The pixies "will often most hate where they have most loved; and especially if they be jealous or offended.

Her father wanted her to marry a knight but Serena thought herself to good for anyone her father introduced her to. Even a man who could play such sweet music he was also thought to be blessed by the Pixies was found not good enough in Serena's eyes.

Silver Bell

sterling silver bell

Father Hilary was no leased with how Serena was spending her time and forced the girl to spend one month visiting a church down the road. One day as she traveled along the rough road to the church she overheard sweet singing. She could not help herself as she followed the voices, even though she could hear the vesper-bell.

She imagined that she must be going where the Pixies were most powerful. She could not believe that she ought to be fearful I'm such a beautiful place. She did not know that  she was upon the rocks and fall of Nathan's Kieve. She came across a man laying on the ground. She was amazed by him the same way the pixies singing had amazed her earlier. He was covered in jewels and very handsome. Serena forgot about the vesper bells and had given herself up to the influence of a vain curiosity. She soon realized her surroundings were all an illusion to make her break her promise.

Father Hilary made Serena buy a silver bell as penance rather than a dress for which the money was intended. She bought the bell but continued to be drawn to Nathan's Kieve were she would fall to  her death. Serena's silver bell can still be heard when the moon is full.

Bibliography:
"The Lady of The Silver Bell" written by
The Lady of The Silver Bell

Famous Last Words: Technology is my friend

Modern Technology

Beyond the fact this is my first time creating a blog, I have never been good at keeping up with modern technology. It has been interesting trying to maneuver through the tech tips, none of which I mastered on my first try. Successfully completing embedding my Facebook post was more exciting to me than it probably should have been, but it was a success none the less. I am looking forward to reading other students story blogs now that the class is formally started. I read a few that were posted already and really enjoyed them. It is hard for me to move to the next weeks assignments without completing all those listed for the previous week, but we are all working at different paces so there are some things that cannot be completed just yet. I think this will only be a temporary issue now that everyone is well on there way to completing each type of assignment.

So many computer cables

My favorite assignment so far was writing this weeks story. I really enjoyed recreating a new story from another story and making it my own. I felt good about the style I chose to write my story. It felt consistent with that of the original author. I have not had the time to creatively write in such a long time. This course has opened that window of opportunity for me. I only have thirty days left to study for the LSAT, which has a unscored writing section. I will have only thirty five minutes to write on a subject chosen by the test writers. I will be given an option of how to defend by answer to the writing prompt. Writing is an art that only improves with practice and this class is allowing to practice.  
Photos can be found at the following link. wonderful engineering

Reading Notes: Three Little Pigs

The Three Little Pigs

An Old Sow had three little pigs. She was very poor and could hardly take care of them. She sent them out in the world to make their own way. The first little pig asked a man for straw. The second pig asked a man for furze. The third pig asked a man for a load of brick. They each took their supplies and built themselves a fine house. Soon a wolf arrived demanding to be let in but the pigs refused. The wolf easily blew down the straw and furze houses, but he could not blow down the house of brick. The wolf decided he would trick the pig into letting him in but each time he was outsmarted by the pig. The wolf was angry and declared he was going to eat the pig. He decided he would climb down the chimney since the pig would not come out of his house. As he climbed down the chimney the pig started a boiling pot of water over a huge fire. The wolf fell into the pigs trap. The pig cooked the wolf and had himself a fine dinner.

My Thoughts:
This story makes good use of turning the tables on the enemy. I like the witty portrayal of the pig who might be viewed as the underdog in this situation.

Bibliography:
The Three Little Pigs  "The Golden Goose Book" written by L. Leslie Brooke

three-little-pigs-books Origin of photo

Tech Tip:Embed Facebook

Feedback Thought

Students Working together

Professors often ask students to peer review each others work. A peer review can be very helpful when done properly. Fostering a growth mindset is a key element to giving feedback. The feedback should give the author information regarding the strengths and weaknesses of the material.  Receiving only positive feedback is unhelpful because it does not show the potential for improvement and we can all improve. Providing your peer with constructive criticism shows them the areas that have potential growth. If your comments are not constructive than they are simply criticizing and that defeats the purpose of a peer review. It is important to remember that the information is intended to help the author take his or her material to the next level. The suggestions should never feel like an attack on the author's style or content. Providing the author with an alternate view point, that they may not have considered, allows the author to add elements that will make their own position strong against it's opponents. Giving ideas on ways that they can expand on their idea or make it more clear to the reader is also very helpful. For more helpful hints on how to receive and give feedback follow the links  have provided below.

Receiving Feedback

Feedback that Fosters a Growth Mindset

Bibliography:

students working together photo

Story: While Onias Slept

Onias Slept One Hundred Years

     The Rabbi Onias was the youngest rabbi in the city of Jerusalem. Many doubted his path to righteousness, but God showed Onias great favor. As the City of Jerusalem burned Onias would be sent to save her people. His faith would be both challenged and reaffirmed along his unimaginable journey.
     Onias set out with God's words resounding in his heart. He took only what he needed to survive. Onias became very tiered and hungry along his journey, but refused to supplement himself when the people of Jerusalem were starving. After collapsing from hungry Onias fell into a deep sleep. Many a passer by tried to wake him without success. Over time Onias was no longer visible to the naked eye. The vegetation grew up around him providing him protection from the world around him. Eventually, Onias was no longer sought out, but his story became that of a legend. Some people were certain that Onias was captured by the enemy, while others assumed he had continued on his journey to distant lands. Many thought him to be dead, but nothing could be farther from the truth.
     Onias had In fact awoke after only a few moments of rest, although he felt completely refreshed. As he looked around to take in his new surroundings, he realized he was no longer in Jerusalem. He had left behind the war and despair and was in awe of the beauty before him. He could see all of God's creation in it's intended splendor. How could this be, he wondered? I must have hit my head and now I'm imagining this place, he thought out loud. In his excitement Onias ran to tell others of this new land. He wanted the people of Jerusalem to come and celebrate this beautiful land. They will be reminded of the holy land when it was flourishing. They will unit in peace and sing God's praises. But Onias soon became sad. He searched across the land for days, but he never encountered another sole. There were two of every creature, but Onias was the only man. God provided Onias with everything he needed to live comfortably, but Onias was lonely. He spent his days caring for the animals and praying. As Onias prayed all of his dreams took shape before him. He could not understand what could have happened to mankind. Had the war escalated to the desolation of man?
    After Onias had had lived in the beautiful land for almost one hundred years God appeared before him. God spoke to Onias and explained to him that he was not on earth but in the heavens. "You have not died my child your mind is living beyond what mankind is capable of conceiving, while your body rest on earth," God said. Tomorrow when you awake on earth do not be alarmed. The world you knew no longer exists. The holy city of Jerusalem has been healed along with her people. As you have dreamed and prayed for things of this land Jerusalem has become them. Sleep now for tomorrow you will understand all that for all you have sacrificed Jerusalem will have a second chance. (540 words)

Bibliography:
Gertrude Landa.1919."The Sleep of One Hundred Years."
The Sleep of One Hundred Years.
Old Man Sleeping Picture

Author's Note:
The inspiration for this story was ""The Sleep of One Hundred Years" written by Gertrude Landa in 1919. I thought it would be interesting to imagine what Rabbi Onias was experiencing during his one hundred year long sleep. In the original story Onias is on a long journey. He falls asleep and does not wake up for one hundred years. the world around him has changed and he feels that he no longer belongs there. He asks to return to the place where he slept for so long. Once he is returned to the spot he falls asleep never to wake on earth again. The story does not give much explanation as to how the lands changed or how Onias slept so long, which is what made this story so fun to write. I hope you enjoyed it.

reading Notes: "The Quarrel of the Cat and Dog,"

"The Quarrel of the Cat and Dog"

The cat and dog were originally the best of friends. Winter brought about hunger and unhappiness.

Best Friends or Worst Enemies

Being hungry seemed to bring out the worst in the both of them. Eventually they agreed to part ways. The cat traveled to Adams house and the dog ended up in a wolfs lair. They made a pact never to see one another again under the advisement of the wisest animal in the animal kingdom...the serpent.

The cat lived nicely with Adam while the dog suffered and had to move often. Eventually a kind man took pity and the dog and gave him shelter, but the dog soon realized the man was Adam. The man wanted the dog and cat to get along and continue to live with him but the cat refused. Dogs and cats continue to quarrel to this day.

My Thoughts: This is an epic tale of best friends turned enemy. This could be an interesting story to combine with another story. It would be interesting to tell a story within another story with different levels (ex: The Golden Ass).

Bibliography:

Gertrude Landa (1919)."The Quarrel of the Cat and Dog."

The Quarrel of the Cat and Dog

cats-and-dogs-wallpapers

Reading Notes: "The Sleep of One Hundred Years"

This week I am reading from the Biblical Readings.
"The Sleep of One Hundred Years" is from the

Rabbi Onias

 Jewish Fairy Tales and Legends section. I was interested in this story because I took Origins of Christianity with Professor Harper last semester and this story takes place during the destruction of the first Jewish Temple. In a time of war the land and city of Jerusalem were laid to waste. The city was unhappy and all but deserted. Rabbi Onias was traveling the barren land when he came upon a man planting carob trees. The man hoped that the land could be replenished. The Rabbi refused to eat his only source of food, although he was starving. He was saving it for someone who might need it more than he did. He was exhausted from his long journey and eventually fell asleep. As he slept the land replenished itself and grew around Onias. The trees and bushes protected him from his surrounding while he slept for a hundred years. When he woke he was amazed by the transformation. He stayed with his great grandchild for some time before he asked to be returned to the place were he had slept for so long. When he was returned to the spot Onias found peace and slept never to wake on earth again.

My Thoughts: This story reminded me of sleeping beauty in a sense. It combined a journey of despair and the realization of hope. The journey the man began ended with the journey the land had while he slept. It would be interesting to design a story around the adventures his mind underwent as he slept for one hundred years...

Bibliography:Story and Image can be found
Gertrude Landa (1919)."The Sleep of One Hundred Years."
The Sleep of One Hundred Years