Reading Notes: The Celtic Fairy Tales (2) Part A

For the week 8 extra credit reading, I decided to read The Celtic Fairy Tales (2) unit by Joseph Jacobs with illustrations by John D. Batten (1895). I chose this because I haven't read a British unit yet and I am curious to see how their tales are different. Below are my reading notes:

• There is an interesting sense of jealousy that I have not seen in other tales from other cultures. In addition, I like the use of the poem where Oifa has a few lines of uninterrupted dialogue.
• I am not a huge fan of how long this story is. It seems to drag on for over 1500 words which breaks the short and sweet rule. In addition, I am more of a fan of a to the point storytelling.
• I like the use of frequent dialogue however these frequent epic poems are becoming excessive in my opinion.
• One thing I have noticed is there is very little animal-human interaction. Since I am a fan of the Aesop's fables, this is somewhat disappointing.
• Frequently there is an introduction of a wizard which provides a unique range of possibilities for a storytelling that I might include. I have not seen this exact usage of a character in any other stories. 

(Castle of the Munster Kings, Ireland)

Growth Mindset: Self Reflection

One thing that I take well in this class is feedback on my writing skills. I am very open to this feedback because I know that writing isn't my strong suit. However, in a setting where I consider myself more technically sound I usually have a harder time taking constructive criticism. For example, this past summer I had to do a presentation for work and my public speaking skills aren't my strong suit. However, once I got passed my personal pride I was able to receive that feedback and ultimately turn myself into a better speaker and presenter. Continual self development is a key component of growth mindset and a healthy mind and it starts with receiving constructive criticism. Thanks for reading.

Wikimedia: Public Speaking

Week 8 Reflections

Over the semester I think my favorite reading assignment thus far has been the classical units. I really enjoyed reading the Odyssey and Aesop's Fables. One thing I felt like I have done well is focused more on the delivery and presentation of the story versus the actual content. Reading like a writer is something that takes training of your eye and mind to do. My favorite story I have written thus far is The Lone wolf. It is themed after the wolves that appear in Aesop's fables. I was able to also include the suspense delivery which is characteristic of the fables. One thing I want to continue to improve on my writing is my use of dialogue throughout the story. I feel that one thing that has helped me in this class is to see the different writing styles of everyone. It gives a good diverse look at the ways to deliver a story. Thanks for reading!

W.H. Drake: The Two Jungle Books

Famous Last Words Week 7: Planning Ahead

This past week was especially tough and stressful. For one, in my other classes I had a pretty difficult test. In addition, I found it stressful that our teacher would not let us ask any questions during the test, because some of the problems were not absolutely clear on what they were asking. Instead you have to state all your assumptions. So in that aspect, I guess I just have to hope I got lucky and made all the correct assumptions for the test. Besides that test though, I received a few of my other test scores back from my formation evaluation class and my structural class. Both of which I was fairly pleased with and let off a great deal of anxiousness off of my shoulders.

As far as this class was concerned I was disappointed that I did not think of a good continuum for my Sinbad the Sailor tales for my portfolio. This was due to my heavy obligations in my other classes, but I'm still upset to not finish. However, since that I felt that the week went fairly well. My storytelling this week I felt like was some of my better writing for the semester still yet. In my opinion, the story is as if you took a negative copy of a photograph. If you have ever seen an original "negative" copy of a photograph, then you know it is the complete opposite of the regular photo. This was the approach that I took for this week's storytelling. It turned out really well and gave the original story a great twist. In the week's upcoming I hope to continue to explore new writing styles. The one I did this week seemed to just spur upon me as I did not receive the idea prior to writing it.

On a completely separate note I am looking forward to spring break coming up even though it is still far away. My friends and I are trying to plan a cruise and will probably book it soon so that the fares are still reasonable. It will be nice to take a break from school and relax for my senior year. I am hoping everything will work out for the trip and looks something like this picture. Thanks for reading.

Wikipedia: Norwegian Dawn

Reading Notes: The Key of Gold Part A

This week for the extra credit option I have decided to read The Key of Gold by Josef Baudis. I chose this option because I wanted to dive into a European themed tale. Below are my reading notes:

• There is an interesting sequence of events that all build on each other by happen stance to John. All which lead back to his root cause of sleeping in places he shouldn't.
• I am a fan of the fact that there are no boundaries between human and animal interaction. This allows for unlimited avenues for story telling.
• There is a mysterious ending in the story about the gambler that leaves the reader wondering if the people ruling the realms are still alive, because if they are then they are still ruling.
• The story of Kojata is a refreshing happy ending as many folktales from various units can be somewhat grim in nature sometimes.
• A very interesting theme of the golden keys prevents many of the ones who strive to be the king of the palace from obtaining the goal. The keys of gold definitely have a symbolic and potential spiritual power.

(basilisk, by F.J.J. Bertuch)

Storytelling Week 7: Creation of Starfish

There once was a king and queen who lived in the greatest Kingdom of Laos. For many years the king and queen have come from a similar lineage of ancestors which had ruled before. One day the queen asked the king if she could have a star. The king replied how am I supposed to get you a star if it is in the heavens above? The king not wanting to displease his queen decided to think about how he could accomplish such a feat.

So the next night the king and queen lie awake on their balcony gazing at the stars above. The king wished for the power to be able to grant his queen with whatever she wanted, especially a star. As he prayed to the great Gods he wished for some way that she could be hold a star of her own. Each night the king continually lie awake on the balcony gazing at the stars above in awe. And each night the king of Laos prayed to the gods for a way to grant this queen her wish. The queen began to grow sad at the fact should would probably never get to hold a star or have one of her own. On the night of the new moon, as the king lie awake on the balcony in his kingdom he saw a shooting star.

Upon sight of this he thought it may be a sign from the gods, so he closed his eyes and made a wish. The next morning came around and the king and queen went on their walk down by the beach where the trading Port was. The servants of the kingdom were steady at work hauling in the new spices from nearby countries and offloading their goods to be traded. As the king went to talk to his chief sailor, the sailor told the king of an interesting new species he had spotted along the shore upon his arrival to the main land. The king and queen were somewhat uninterested at first, however decided to take a walk further down shore to the other side of the beach.

Along their walk they saw a species of sea creature that they had never seen before. The king and queen were astonished at the sight of this creature and had never seen such a thing. As the king reached down in the sand to pick up the sea creature he realized that it resembled the shape of a star. It had five points and was almost perfectly symmetrical. He then gave it to his queen and said this is a gift of the Gods and he has now blessed us with the opportunity to see the sky and the stars above and see the stars from the ocean below. We shall name this the starfish and we shall have our great Queen be blessed to be surrounded by so many stars on Earth and in the sky above. The queen was in disbelief and was enlightened that her wish came true.

Wikipedia: Royal Starfish

Author’s Note: This story was inspired by Laos Folklore and tales. Mainly the goal of this story was to emulate the creation of something we know today in the world with a story that is somewhat unconventional. A story that comes to mind from Laos folklore is why a grain of rice is so small. Thanks for reading.

Bibliography: Laos Folk-Lore by Katherine Neville Fleeson, with photographs by W.A. Briggs (1899)

Review: Motivational Garbage

Laura Gibbs: Oscar Garbage Can Quote

I picked this announcement because I usually pick something that is humorous. In addition, I like that it is motivational. Also Oscar is a great character in general. Thanks for reading!