Week 14: Growth Mindset Challenge

Growth in your other classes:

I try to always find moments to improve on myself and my skills if possible. This past semester I have really had to work on getting back into a mode of being a good student like I used to! I used to be so good at getting my homework done and getting my studying done and maintaining reasonable grades in my class, but this has actually been my hardest semester! It didn't help that I had massive computer problems at the beginning of the semester. Which sucks when three of your four classes are online... Anyway, in the past two weeks I have a friend who has been a necessary part of me remaining motivated to really finish out the semester strong. I have 5 papers to write by the end of the semester, one of which was my 10-20 page capstone that I was terrified of! This particular friend was constantly harassing me telling me to finish the page goals I had set for myself, even if I had gotten ahead the night before. She told me that when she is working on school work she just has to tell herself that her school work is the most important thing and that she knows she will be able to sleep when she gets it done and that if she gets it all done in a timely manner, everything will be much easier. She kept harping on me about that and it really got into my brain. Since I don't like to disappoint my friends, she has really helped me to get back in gear and really get on top of all of the final projects and assignments and study sessions I have and really do the very best I can. Even if it is the last two weeks of school, I am going to give it all I've got and more! I can sleep when I graduate so I can get everything done! So, while the challenge was to grow in other classes, I wanted to explain that with the help of this friend, I wouldn't have been able to grow in any class. So a big shout out to her!

STUDY TIME. LETS DO THIS.

Week 14: Famous Last Words

I feel like this is a perfect thing to do at the end of the semester since they basically are some of my last words! Not only will I be finishing this class, which has been one of my favorites, I will be finishing my time at OU completely! I graduate in only two weeks time and I still cannot believe it. I have learned so much from my time in college. I went through some of the most painful struggle of my life thus far but I also formed some of the closest relationships I think I will ever form from those struggles. I learned what I am truly passionate about in life, I learned a little bit more about who I am as a individual, and I learned how to grow up and be an adult. I learned many skills that will aid me in my goals and I learned that if I want something bad enough, there is only me standing in the way of achieving that goal.

A little over a year ago I started working at a restaurant for the first time in my life and I was so terrified when I started. I wasn't too great at dealing with people and I was scared of everyone I worked with. I think working there has been one of the largest factors when it comes to how much I have grown. I learned not only how to deal with unruly and obnoxious customers, but I learned how to be a better person and how to deal with conflicts between coworkers and friends. I am so grateful to work there and, just so you all don't worry about me, I am no longer terrified of anyone I work with! In fact, there is not a single person in the entire staff that I have any actual dislike towards. I am pretty great friends with most everyone actually! Even the kitchen staff!

So these are my short final words to wrap up what I could write about for hours. Thanks for reading my stories and providing me with the feedback to make me a better writer! I'll leave you guys with a few more fun pictures of my life.

Here is a picture of me (left) with two of my coworkers! The one in the middle is also my roomie!

Personal photo, Abner Ale House December 2016

A couple crazy aerial photos: Left - Tulsa AHHA Art Gallery Create Gala Performance (May 2016)

Right - Tulsa Lyra and Straps workshop with Anya Shevelyuk (May 2016)

As requested, pictures of my two fur babies: Left is the oldest, Marie. Right is my cat/bowling ball, Koko. Both taken in 2011. Alas, I cannot find a picture of my bearded dragon!

Hope you guys enjoyed!

Week 14: Learning challenge

This is the first one of these that I have done but I figure now is as good a time as any to do it!

Share your health and/or happiness tips/ share your favorite happiness quote:

I often find that when I am feeling particularity down it is because I am feeling down about myself and about my capabilities. This semester I have really struggled with being able to maintain my own happiness without having to rely on others. I have a necklace that my aunt bought me one year because I fell in love with it. I never ever take it off because I would be lost without it. It is a flat ring that twists around and has a beautiful font that reads "This above all: to thine own self be true". I find so much peace and strength in these words that they have always managed to bring me back to at least a better state of being. This may not be a quote about happiness, but it is something that helps me to find the path to happiness again when I truly feel like I will be lost from it forever.

I hope this may help someone or gives you some peace of mind!

This is the exact necklace that I have

Week 14: Reading Notes Part B

Reading Notes

Part B

Bibliography: Eastern Stories and Legends by Marie Shedlock 1920

The Bull that Demanded Fair Treatment - I like that the bull so easily taught the squire a lesson about being fare to those who help you. I was so angry about the fact that he called the bull a wretch when the bull had been so good to him!

The Elephant that was Honored in Old Age - I understood this story but the wording was a little hard to get through. I am glad that the elephant was able to be restored her honor. I like that the moral of these stories is usually someone standing up for the honor that they rightfully deserved.

The Faithful Friend - This story is adorable! I am so happy that the puppy dog and the elephant got be get back together and be friends again!

The Faithful Friend

Week 14: Reading Notes Part A

Reading Notes

Part A

Bibliography: Eastern Stories and Legends by Marie Shedlock 1920

The Hare That Ran Away - I thought this story was cute. I don't really need to find stories that I would turn into stories anymore, but I found this story to just be pleasant. I thought it was cute how patient the lion was with the little hare. It made me think of mob mentality where no one stops to see for themselves if the rumors are true, they just go along with the crowd.

A Spirit That Lived in a Tree - I was so worried the entire time that the king was actually going to cut down the tree! I am very glad that, since the main tree was willing to be cut down, and in such a painful way, he allowed the tree to be spared.

The Man Who Worked to Give Alms - I liked that the man was so willing to give alms that he began to work himself to collect something to give. He was even willing to give away his own valuables!

The tree that the tree-spirit lived in

Week 14: Extra Reading

Extra Reading - Part B

Bibliography: Jataka Tales by Ellen C. Babbitt 1912

The Elephant Girly-Face - It makes me so sad that the elephant is so easily taught to be mean and murderous. I guess the moral could be showing how easily susceptible to things our children are and how they can pick up on the wrong things so easily.

The Banyan Deer - I have read another version of this story before and it both makes me so happy and sad at the same time. In the other version the king agrees to not harm any living creature again, which I felt was going to far, but I love that the great king of the deer is so willing to put his life on the line for one of his own.

The King's White Elephant - This is such a sweet story! I was so worried that the people were going to kill the white elephant because it was different, but they took it in and treated it well! This is the kind of story I like to read.

The Ox Who Envied the Pig - This story was sweet and simple! I don't have much to say about it, but I like it and I think it is a good lesson.

The Banyan Deer