Mythology and Folklore

The two articles I read tackled two different aspects of time management that I think was challenging me in my own life. Seeing the problems, along with the solutions, laid out so simply gives me the motivation to try the techniques not only with schoolwork, but with other things I want to improve upon. The first article, The Important Habit of Just Starting by Jory Mackay, points out that most of procrastination comes from a lack of being able to practice long-term gratification. Mackay points out that "the fear of starting is often so much less than the pain of actually working", although our brains try to convince us that the opposite is true. If one can get over the hump of actually starting, momentum will take over and we end up looking at ways to finish. The second article I read was Eat the Frogs First Thing in the Morning  by Thomas Oppong. It was inspired by Mark Twain's quote, "If your job is to eat a frog, it's best to do it first thing in the mornin...

The modules of this first week has made me more comfortable with using Blogger and customizing my blog theme. It is refreshing how most of this online class takes place outside of Canvas; it makes it feel less like schoolwork and more like a hobby. It was a bit confusing  finding  all the information as it is on Class Wiki rather than Canvas. However, I think the way Dr. Gibbs lays out the week on Class Wiki is really easy to follow. I always bookmark that week's assignments for easy access, and have my blog bookmarked as well. I am not familiar with creating graphics, but I do hope to make one or two more hedgehog memes before the semester is over. It does seem a little overwhelming at first, but new classes always do before you get into the routine of it. Also, never having to physically meet anyone in this class also helps me feel more freedom to be honest about my thoughts and post geeky memes (and hopefully entertain other people too!).  Image details: Michael...

So far, this class is extremely unlike anything I've taken at OU before. It pushes students to put their thoughts into words and become increasingly mindful on how to communicate honestly. As a chemistry major, most of my written assignments have been lab reports over the years, it does seem a bit daunting having to create and post something besides STEM topics, but I am looking forward to the challenge. I am also anticipating what my classmates have to say as well! Only one week has passed, but I am very glad that I was able to take this course during my final semester. Overall, the workload seems straightforward and not too time consuming, and I think I will really enjoy the subject matter. I don't think I'm a very creative or original person, but I will try my best on creating a portfolio or storybook I feel confident enough to share with others. The Famous Last Words extra credit assignment also seems like something fun to maintain throughout the semester. I can't ...

 Ctrl+Alt+Delete; source: Laura Gibbs At first glance, Dr. Dweck's philosophy on the growth mindset seems to be a no-nonsense way of improving even the most lackluster students. This was my first encounter with the professor, but much of what she said in her TED Talk seemed like common sense. Encouraging children that failure isn't permenant certainly encourages them to make more attempts at a problem. Incorporating this type of participation in the classroom leads to more equality. The problem of favoritism is something I observed a lot in grade school; the brighter children are set apart at an early age and continue distancing themselves from their peers until their intelligence seems exponentially higher.  I don't believe that the growth mindset is as universal as Dr. Dweck explains it, but traits of it can help student excel in specific subjects. I think the strongest tool a student can have is genuine interest in the subject they want to pursue. The growth m...

Hello! First of all, I hope you are having an amazing day so far. If not, please first enjoy this picture of my first hedgehog, Mochi, in a tiny santa hat.  Personal Photo: my first hedgehog's first Christmas! It might be an unusual choice of pet, but it is one that I highly recommend for students. I am a senior, graduating in May with a degree in Chemistry&Biochemistry and a minor in Pre-Health Social Sciences. These past four years have been very time consuming, and I wanted a pet that would accomodate my schedule. Enter: hedgehogs. They are solitary, nocturnal, small, don't require a lot of resources or space, perfect! And once I got my first, I became hooked on other exotic animals as well. I hope to one day have a large assorment of interesting critters and reptiles!  Aside from loving my hogs, I try to spend my extra time travelling all over the world. Both my parents immigrated from Asia, and we frequently travel back to visit my extended family. I ha...

    Dragon's Guide to the Elements   Image Details: Toothless; source: Stack  For some reason or the other, I have always loved dragons. Whether they are small and cute like in my favorite movie, How To Train Your Dragon, or more behemoth in nature like depicted in the Eragon series, their abilites, power, and intelligence have always fascinated me. Naturally, I was drawn to this charming collection of one-shots. The title sounded like it would be a story from a dragon's point of view, or focus mainly on the dragons, but rather the stories detailed epic battles between men and best. The introduction disclosed that the stories would be inspired by different tales from cultures around the world, which intruiged me, despite seeming a bit like a history lesson. The individual stories were basically a retelling of already well known folk tales, so it is expected that they'd be interesting. While I thoroughly enjoyed the stories, the site itself could have...

    I have been flying all over the world since I was young, much in part because none of my extended family lives in the United States. As I got older, my excursions got further and futher from East/Southeast Asia and began creeping into the riches of Europe, and whan incredible joy it has been. Throughout my time in Italy, Spain, Germany, etc., I kept retuning to the United Kingdom. London is truly one of the most beautiful and energetic cities I have been to. It is rich with history and culture, making Oklahoma pale in comparison. I have always preferred large cities to the mundane country life, and there is nowhere I'd rather enjoy my years than in the United Kingdom.  Image Details: London at Twilight, source: Geograph What better place to feel the pulse of the city than at Piccadilly Circus?  (on one side you can see some amazing architecture, and on the other the large electronic billboards always flashing their lights to the busy patrons be...