Extra Reading Diary: Russian Folktales

This is a Reading Diary that details my thoughts on the first section of Russian Folktales unit. Story source: Russian Fairy Tales by W. R. S. Ralston (1887).

• Oh my gosh.  The story with the dead mother broke my heart.  
• I can't think of anything more heartrendingly beautiful than a mom taking care of her child even after her own death. 
•  I love that the terrible wife called her husband a "bug bear."
• When I started reading this story I did not expect it to be the origin of the cuckoo clock.
• Isn't there a phrase that's something like "Wednesday's child is full of woe?"  The only reason I know that is because Wednesday from the Addam's family is named after that.  
• Wow.  Until I reached the end of the story I totally thought that Dneiper, Volga and Dvina were all women.
• Honestly though, I just love the name Emilian.  

(Dead Mother by Egon Schiele in 1910 from The Club of Compulsive Readers.)

Reading Diary B: British North America

This is a Reading Diary that details my thoughts on the second section of the  British North America unit. Story source: Myths and Legends of British North America by Katharine Berry Judson (1917). 

• I had to look up what Pleiades was..... So that's why I didn't really understand the origin story.  
• The Turtle and Thunder story really bummed me out.... I guess you should always avoid your fears.  
• This bear kind of sounds like King Kong. 
• I never thought putting salmon in a lake would call for such a war.  
• Reading about the salmon just makes me want to eat salmon.  
• Well the wolverene was a liar to the end.  
• These stories don't typically have happy endings. 
• Sneaky fox. 
• This stories seem to end with the bully getting their way no matter what.  

(The First Map, North America from Shirt Tales Blog)

Reading Diary A: British North America

This is a Reading Diary that details my thoughts on the first section of the  British North America unit. Story source: Myths and Legends of British North America by Katharine Berry Judson (1917). 

•  There's stories so far have a Native American feel to them.  
• I totally understand Big Turtle.  Everyone gets tired.  
• These stories also deal a lot with animals.  
• I don't know what I was expecting but I figured since I love Anne of Green Gables these stories might be similar to it.  I beginning to think I'm wrong though. 
• Majority of these stories deal with creation.  
• The coyote saved the day?????? I guess this a big difference when compared to Native American tales. 
• Ok story, I can't imagine a raven and seagull ever being friends!!
• The man with the animals sounds exactly like being a babysitter.
• What did the grandmother do to get stuck with no village and having to provide for a little boy by herself ???
• Man in the moon just makes me think of Kid Cudi. 

 (Bella coola, British Columbia  from Wikipedia)

Famous Last Words for Week 9

October is almost Octover.  Sorry that was so cheesy I will see myself out.  But it's true that after this week there will only be one more week until October is done.  And next week my favorite holiday will be here!!!

Thankfully, this week wasn't as stressful as midterm week so I got a little more time to relax. BUT that maybe meant that I procrastinated a little more than I should have.  This Sunday will be filled with catching up on assignments that I should've done earlier in the week.  

Some of the fun things I did this weekend was attend the Rah Rally pep rally, go to the OU football game against Texas Tech and jam out to some Backstreet Boys with my roommate.  It's events like this that are really going to make me miss college.  Sure you can do all of this as an alum but there's just something about be a student here that makes me take such a pride in this university.  

This week had a lot of wake up calls when it comes to life after graduation.  I attended the career fair and was disenchanted with so many of the jobs they seemed to be offering.  In a way, this is really helpful because this maybe just cements what I want to do with my life.  But now my biggest worry is if the jobs that I want to do are going to be offered to me!!!!!! Ugh life sometimes the mystery of it is a good thing but hopefully I can get something nailed down soon.  

Until then, I think I'll try to enjoy still being a student as much as I can.  Below is a picture of my roommate and me on yesterday's game day.  

 

(Personal photo of my roommate and me taken in October 2015.)

 

Extra Reading Diary: Italian Popular Tales

This is a Reading Diary that details my thoughts of the Italian Popular Tales unit. Story source: Italian Popular Tales by Thomas Frederick Crane (1885).

• This is just like the Czech fairy tale that was based off Beauty and the Beast.  Zelinda wanting a rose I see the connection.  
• However, this version has a father instead of a mother.
• This version is much more similar to Disney's Beauty and the Beast.  
• Awww Angiola could be a Disney movie.  
• The line at the end of three wives story is hilarious, "Since that time he has lost his taste for marrying."
• Poor Catherine :( 
• Aw well at least she only suffered in her youth to relax in her later years.  
• Oh foxes are always so tricky. 
• Well The Ingrates is basically the same story.  

(A Steampunk Devil Carrying the Third Sister, Courtesy Kerdersky at DeviantArt)

Storytelling for Week 9: How The Coyote Got His Cunning

"As you are my first human and will rule the entire world.  Your task is to distinguish the ranking of the animals for your kingdom," bellowed the great Chareya, the Old Man Above.  Chareya had already filled the world with so many animals he decided it would be best to let the man choose which order each would play in the circle of life.  

The man thought this task was not worthy for him alone to decide, but he should let the animals decide for themselves.  "Animals of the forests, at dawn tomorrow I will give each of you a bow and whichever you choose will determine where your rank lies," the man told all the animals.  They would all meet in a clearing in the middle of the forest.  A perfect position for the Old Man Above to observe from the sky.  

The coyote, one of the biggest and most feared animals in the forest, was certain that he would receive the longest bow and instantly be granted the top of the food chain.  However, the coyote figured the best way to prepare for the choosing ceremony would be to stay up all night in anticipation.  "While all the other fools will be sleeping I will surely be first in line tomorrow and pick the longest bow.  Then I will undeniably be the most important animal."  

The owl, wolf, bat and all other animals of the night soon went to sleep, but the coyote did not.  He stayed up all night fantasizing about how he would rule over all the other animals and what kinds of laws he would implement to the lands.  The coyote stayed up for hours daydreaming and just before dawn it turned into actual dreams of his reign.  

Soon enough the robin chirped to declare the sun had officially risen and the dawn had arrived.  The Old Man Above took his spot in the sky to watch over the ceremony.  By the time the coyote finally arose he was the last animal to pick his bow.  

Only the shortest bow was left, but the coyote would not settle for it.  He growled to the man who took pity on the coyote and appealed to the man above.  Chareya knew that an animal this infuriated would eventually make his way to the top of the chain out of revenge even if he didn't belong there.  So he compromised and made the coyote the most cunning of all animals.  And so to this day, he is. 

The Cunning Coyote from Nature Watch.)

Author's Note:  I decided to tell this story from third person because I think that adds an ancient feel to it.  This is one of the origin stories for the coyote so I thought it would be best to add more dialogue to really set the scene.  I kept the basic outline of the story while adding more details and descriptions.  Also, since this story declares all coyotes as cunning, I chose a photo that shows a little bit of their sneaky side.  

Bibliography: Story source: Myths and Legends of the Pacific Northwest, especially of Washington and Oregon, by Katharine Berry Judson (1910).

Reading Diary B: Pacific Northwest

This is a Reading Diary that details my thoughts of the second section of the Pacific Northwest unit. Story source: Myths and Legends of the Pacific Northwest, especially of Washington and Oregon, by Katharine Berry Judson (1910).

• So the giant wants to eat with a little kid after murdering a few people?
• Anything can happen in these stories.  
• I can't think of Thunder gods without picturing Thor.
• The line "LONG ago, before the white man came," just makes me really sad.  
• If spirits tell you not to do something, then DON'T DO IT. 
• The Coyote is at it again.
• Is this the reason why grizzly bears and coyotes hate each other?  
• Grizzly bears are far more sensitive than what I thought.  
• Coyote is on a roll with killing villains right now.  
• If Trap doesn't want to work, he won't work. 

(Coyote from Pixabay)

Reading Diary A: Pacific Northwest

This is a Reading Diary that details my thoughts of the first section of the Pacific Northwest unit. Story source: Myths and Legends of the Pacific Northwest, especially of Washington and Oregon, by Katharine Berry Judson (1910).

• Well it looks like Silver-Fox doesn't like to share.  
• Silver-Fox is pretty bossy.  The coyote did everything he told him to do!  Let him enjoy the new world and have an opinion.  
• The coyote is seriously breaking my heart.  Just let him play with some people!!!
• Wait is the silver-fox a wolf??!!
• Chareya is establishing the food chain.
•  Nothing seems to go right for the poor coyote.  
• Chareya and the grizzly is kind of like Frankenstein and his monster.
• I wonder if the story with the beaver is referring to the ice age.
• So wait.  A hawk stole a tree's wives???
• Can fire be used as a form of ID instead of a driver's license?
• TO THE WINDOW TO THE WALLA WALLA.
• Wow don't ever piss off the Coyote or let him be your judge.
• Only summer and winter? No fall or spring?!
• I don't know any totem pole origin stories but I didn't expect them to be like this one.
• Oh my gosh poor the woodrat tale has a happy ending for no one.
•  I don't know where Takhoma is but now I want to go there.  

 

(Takhoma & American Bistort & Subalpine Daisies from Flickr)

 

 

Famous Last Words for Week 8

Well it's my senior year and midterm week is still the worst thing ever.  I don't even want to think about how many hours I did homework this week.  It was like all my teachers got together and coordinated their test schedules.  Like could just one of my professors have been like "Well I bet they have a lot going on around this time I'll push my test back."  

But thankfully, I survived and completed countless homework assignments, an essay, a storybook entry, 2 midterm tests and will be starting on a research paper later today.  

When the weekend finally came I was too tired to actually do anything fun so I basically just chillaxed the ENTIRE time.  I never got bored because this is just something that I simply never do.  I wanted to get some things accomplished this weekend and I got none of them done.  Honestly it was amazing.  

I mainly spent the weekend re-watching Park and Recreation (which was one of the best decisions I have made lately) and sleeping.  However, on Saturday night I attended an OU Musical.  They put on "Ragtime" the musical and it was amazing.  I was so moved by some of the performers.  As soon as I got home I started googling things about the show to learn more about it!  

If you’ve never heard of the show, it’s about three different groups living in the United States during the early 20^th century and features historical figures like Harry Houdini, Booker T. Washington and J.P. Morgan.  The three groups are African Americans, Eastern European immigrants and upper-class suburbanites.  The cast at OU did such a great job.  It really pulled on my heart strings.  And unfortunately mainly of the problems featured in this musical still exist today. 

(Personal photo of " Ragtime The Musical's" playbill taken in October 2015.)

Reading Plan

Here are the stories I plan to read for the rest of the semester!!!  

Week 9 - Pacific Northwest: Pacific Northwest stories with a focus on the tribes of Oregon and Washington.

Week 10 - British North America: Tales from Canada, with trickster-heroes Manabozho, Raven & Coyote.

Week 11 - Canterbury Tales: Including comedy, romance, deceit, an animal fable, and a story about the devil.

Week 12 - Faerie Queene: Britomart disguises herself as a knight to seek the lover she saw in Merlin's mirror.

Week 13 - Heptameron: Renaissance love and gossip as told by Margaret, the Queen of Navarre.

Week 14 - Russian: Russian tales of princesses, heroes, witches, warlocks, ghosts, vampires, and more.

(Larkable.)

Reflections: Looking Forward

Looking at the points I've so far accumulated for this class, I'm on track to finish a little early.  After finishing Indian Epics two weeks before the final week, I know for a fact that it's awesome to get classes done early.  Especially around finals and dead week because that is the time when EVERYTHING gets hectic. 

In my future writings with this class I plan to do some cool things (well at least things that I think are cool) with my storybook.  It's hard to plan out exactly what I want to do because I really enjoy seeing where the my writing takes me.  But I plan to finish my storybook out strong and hope to be inspired by some of the reading material we will soon read. 

Psyche made a really big impression on me and basically provided me with the basis for my storybook.  So if any other characters can make the impression that she did on me in a short story or a supporting character in my storybook I would love that. 

I hope I'll be able to comment on more people's stuff in the future.  Lately life has been hectic but I really should do my part and provide more feedback on other people's post.  I really do like the comments I've been receiving on mine so I should return the favor. 

I don't think I need a specific time to work on this class.  The best thing about online classes is that they are flexible and I'm an organized person so I can keep up with assignments.  So I think in the future I'll keep using this work-as-you-go mentality. 

I think I'll change up the locations like I have been.  It's a digital world so it's possible to work on a digital fully-online class ANYWHERE. 

I plan to do some of the growth mindset and curation activities to help get ahead in this class.  Possibly sometime after midterm week! 

(Gif from Diary of a Fit Mommy's blog.)

Tech Tip: Weather Widget

Check out my little widget to the right if you ever want to know the weather in Norman, Oklahoma.  This could prove to be very valuable because if you're from Oklahoma you know that the weather changes every 5 minutes! 

Personally, my favorite weather is a cool, crisp autumn day.  Not too hot, not too cold.  My least favorite weather is the blistering cold days of winter.  However, I do like to enjoy snow from the window of a heated home. 

So of course I had to implement the weather widget during my favorite month of weather.  Long live Fall!!!!!!

Reflections: Looking back

I really think that this class substantially helps my writing.  Writing is just like anything else the more you do it, the better you get at it and this class especially helps me write because the posts vary in length and content.  Even the short tech tip posts can be super helpful because it helps you learn how to summarize important information.  That's a skill that can help you in the real world like knowing how to write short and summarized emails.

The materials I'm most proud of thus far include my week one story "The Travelers and the Tree," my week two story "The Captive Woman," and just the fact that I've been able to do a Famous Last Words post for every week.  I am excited to write more for my storybook but it still has a bit of a ways to go. 

I'm a big fan of the Turkish and Czech fairy tales.  I just felt they were so original and when I was reading them I had no idea where the story was going to end up.  One story that really stuck with me was the one that was based off of "Beauty and the Beast," it was just so unusual.  I was kind of intrigued at how far it deviated from the source material. 

I like reading other people's stories and seeing how they interpreted some of the material.  But sometimes I wish we could all read the same material.  Also, one thing that this class doesn't have because it's online is a group discussion about the literature.  That's the only thing I dislike about this being fully-online, because I feel like group discussions about literature can be so powerful!

I usually work on this class at my apartment, but sometimes (like right now!) I get some free time at work and I decide to hammer out some of these shorter assignments. 

This semester has been hectic for me, so unfortunately I don't have a specific time blocked off for this class.  But I do try to get it done in the mornings (doesn't always work out though).  Just with it being senior year and having an internship and preparing for job hunting/interviews I don't have a lot of free time in general.  That's why I haven't been able to do as much of the extra credit assignments as I would like to, so I haven't really done any of the growth mindset or curation activities.  I made a goal to do every Famous Last Words assignment to help document and preserve my senior year and that's about all I've had time to do. 

 

(Meme from Saint Rose blog.)

Famous Last Words for Week 7

After this week, I am absolutely exhausted.  It's soon to be midterm week and I guess this semester it started a little early for me. 

On Monday through Thursday I was hurriedly finishing homework assignments before OU/Texas weekend.  I had way too many and it was just especially hard to not procrastinate and try to get ahead.

This year I didn't spend my OU/Texas weekend in Dallas but in Houston!  I know it sounds pretty bizarre and I really was bummed to miss out on the fair, the game (even though we lost) and all other OU/Texas festivities.  I went to Houston with my parents and my sister drove over from Austin, Texas because my dad was playing in the Spirit International Golf tournament.  It was also my sister's 27th birthday and this is a way we could all spend it together. 

 (Picture of the Whispering Pines golf course where  my dad played at from the Dallas News.)

Ever since I came to college in Norman it's been hard for my entire family to be together.  We all live in different cities now so all four of us are only in the same place about 4 to 5 times a year.  It was great to all be together and be in such a fun city.  I was actually born in the Houston area so one day we drove out to my old neighborhood and I got to literally stroll down memory lane.  It was amazing to see the parks and neighbors I played with as a kid.  These kinds of things are so much more important to me now that I'm about to be an adult. 

Then on Sunday I flew back to Oklahoma.  Don't think that I avoided the traffic by avoiding Dallas during OU/Texas weekend because my normally less than two hour drive back from Tulsa took about 3 hours. 

Extra Reading Diary: Czech Folktales

This is a Reading Diary that details my thoughts of the first section of the Czech Folktales unit. Story source: The Key of Gold by Josef Baudis (1922).

• There's a story my family tells that is VERY similar to the beginning of this one.  
• This cape sounds a lot like the invisibility cloak!
• Things really did work out for Sleepy John.  But how could he enjoy his kingdom if he was always sleeping?
•  Burgomaster?  Like Hamburgermaster?  
• Of course the cat was a beautiful woman.  Obviously. 
• I love the line "if they haven't died since, they are still reigning."
• I like the difference of the woman going to the castle to get roses rather than simply taking shelter.  
• She cuts off his head to turn him into the prince ???????
• This story must be the origin for evil twins in soap operas.  

(The Rose from Pinterest.)

Storytelling for Week 3: The Princess and the Beggar

Once upon a time there was a princess who lived in a glorious kingdom.  One day it came time for her to choose her husband and the King was growing anxious.  The suitors were lined outside the palace waiting for the princess to give them an answer.  However, the princess was worried.  She had the worst luck out of anyone she had ever met.  She was terrified making the biggest decision of her life while in her entire life going with her gut has only lead to bad luck. 

With her father’s growing impatience he had all the suitor’s assemble before the throne and it came time for the princess to choose the new king.  The princess decided to throw a red ball of silk and whoever caught it would become her husband. 

Just as she was about to release the ball she noticed a beggar in the midst of all the royal suitors.  Something flashed by his ear and the princess no longer doubted her choosing ability.  The beggar had the dragon of luck circling him and as the yin to his yang she was the only one who could see the spirit of luck within him.  The princess tossed the ball directly to him and he had no trouble catching it. 

After seeing his daughter toss the fate of the throne into the hands of a beggar the king erupted: “Why did you throw the ball to a beggar when you have suitors from the finest families in China?” 

“I have never felt so sure about anything in my life.  I know that he is my equal because all my life people have joked that the ill-fortuned dragon has followed me.  I never believed them until I saw it’s other half in the beggar.  I will marry him and perhaps share in his good luck.” 

The irony was not lost on the beggar, who had struggled to find food that morning and was now a king.  Initially the king would not let the couple live in his palace because he could not stand the thought of his successor being a peasant.  However, when the beggar and princess lived in exile he soon found his fortune and became emperor of a neighboring kingdom. 

To avenge his wife the new emperor conquered the kingdom for his princess and instantly restored her to the throne.  So the exiled princess who never had good fortune became queen at the hands of a beggar.  

 (Book Cover Images.)

Author's Note:  I wanted to give a little more detail about the princess's choice when she decided to marry the beggar.  The concept of luck is so fascinating and that's why I decided to throw in some yin and yang references.  Sorry if the ending felt rushed but in the end the beggar becomes emperor on his own and restores his queen.  

Biography: This story is part of the Chinese Fairy Tales unit. Story source: The Chinese Fairy Book, ed. by R. Wilhelm and translated by Frederick H. Martens (1921).

Reading Diary B: Chinese Fairytales

This is a Reading Diary that details my thoughts of the second section of the Chinese Fairy Tales unit. Story source: The Chinese Fairy Book, ed. by R. Wilhelm and translated by Frederick H. Martens (1921).

• I liked the first story.  It's basically saying that even though the scholar wants to be alone, he can't be content with at least someone by his side. 
• Fox preparing the elixir of life?  Who knew.
• I guess the fox just lent it to him.  
• I feel like some of these stories could be used as scary stories!
• LOL that the girl gets swept away by a tornado and the guy takes it as heaven bringing them together.  
• I feel like women are often the ogres in disguise...
• Sorcerer's are pretty tricky.... Get it... Ok I will see myself out.   
• This section's stories are significantly more depressing.  

 

(River landscape by Liu Chih from the UnTextbook)

Reading Diary A: Chinese Fairy Tales

This is a Reading Diary that details my thoughts of the first section of the Chinese Fairy Tales unit. Story source: The Chinese Fairy Book, ed. by R. Wilhelm and translated by Frederick H. Martens (1921).

• What is the point of the daughter throwing the ball if she can choose who to throw it to?  I thought she was leaving this up to chance.  Close your eyes and throw the dang ball!
• I guess dragons are a sign of good luck ?
• I wonder what kind of luck their child would have had?  Ill or good?  
• The story about the panther is super similar to Little Red Riding Hood.
• That was the most complicated way to kill a panther that I've ever seen.  
• I love when animals all work together.  
• Aw well that didn't last long.  
• I love picturing a moon world.  
• Is it bad that I can't stop thinking about Sailor Moon?
• That horse traveled all the way to get you and that's how you treat it!!!
• Did not see her living in heaven watching over silkworms as the ending...
• It's strange that the Master of Peace and the Master of War are worshiped together.  

 

(The Lady of the Moon from The Gentlemen Angler.)

Famous Last Words for Week 6

Time to check off Week 6 in the grand scheme of this semester.  I'm always so happy to be experiencing the weekend but every time the week ends I just want to replay it because I'm in denial that this semester is ending. 

This week was a fun one and it started by my sorority initiating the freshmen and officially making them new members!  These kinds of things mean so much more to me as I get older.  I really appreciate the ceremonies and traditions so much more now when I'm a senior than when I was a freshman doing it myself for the first time.  Below is a picture of me with one of the freshman.

(Personal photo taken in September 2015.)

 On Friday I spent most of the day hanging out with my roommate.  We then decorated our house for Halloween and went maybe a little over the top.  It's safe to say that now everyone who will step foot in our house any time during October will realize that Halloween is our favorite holiday from the hanging bats, ghost stickers and purple lights decorating our door.  

Then to get ahead on my homework in time for OU/Texas weekend I did assignments ALL DAY on Saturday.  I was going to go out with my friends that night but then I was so tired from doing homework all day that I fell asleep.  I was so busy with work in all my other classes I didn't even finish my assignments for this class.  Thank goodness for all the extra credit this class offers.  

Hopefully I'll be caught up soon and I'll be ahead in all my classes (wishful thinking). 

Essay: Absense of Tragedy

After completing this week's reading diary over Japanese Fairy Tales (Ozaki), I could draw one major theme from all of the different sections and stories.  If you're a good person, you'll get your rewards eventually. 

Since I grew up on sugared up versions of fairy tales thanks to Disney movies, I was not expecting this when I began reading this week.  From Hase-Hime (who was very Cinderella like) to the Lord Bag of Rice, these characters all got their karmic revenge when it came to the fates of their enemies. 

Speaking of karma, that's another thing that I found interesting.  Although, India and Japan are technically on the same side of the globe, they don't share TOO much in common culturally.  There are similarities but you often link together Japan with other Asian countries if you're tallying up the shared aspects of culture.  That's what I was so interested to see the karmic theme in all the fairy tales.  I've read plenty of Indian Fairy Tales after being in Epics of India last semester and I found the Japanese Fairy Tales to be way more uplifting. 

My overall observation of the readings, is that there was an absence of tragedy for the main protagonist.  And isn't that a good thing? 

(Kellscraft)