Learning Challenges

The topics that interest me the most are time management/procrastination for school and work. I think we all struggle with procrastination. Also happiness/health and empathy are topics in life that interest me as well. 

Time management is always an issue in our lives. The one thing everyone learns in college is time management. As a young adult I find myself constantly trying to figure out how I'm going to balance sleep, classes, studying, work, eating well, exercising, maintaining relationships, and having a social life. It's a difficult task, especially when you question at times if you're just wasting your life away to get by. Obviously we all have obligations, but we need to remember to save some time for our ourselves. Set some time aside to do the things we enjoy doing, but are not obligated to do.

When it comes to happiness and health I think these go hand in hand. When you feel good on the inside, it shows on the outside. I know I'm always trying to eat healthier and work out more, but sometimes it's very difficult. It's so easy to eat unhealthy when you have all these fast options that are open around the clock. I'm always happiest when I feel good inside and out, and that's something I know I'll always have to work on.

Empathy is a big one as well. I've noticed that most people are so quick to judge others and voice their opinions of how they think others should live their lives. I'm not perfect either, but one thing I've always tried to work on is putting myself in others shoes before making any judgements. Sometimes it's a hard thing to do, but I think it's something we should all work on.

 (Today, Maraboli)

I think this picture has a good message. We all get caught up on what has already happened or whats to come, but we need to enjoy what's happening right now in our lives.

Growth Mindset

Before this assignment I had never heard of Carol Dweck or the growth mindset, but I definitely agree with some of the things she had to say. 
When it comes to doing things I enjoy I don't mind a challenge. When it's something I don't necessarily enjoy or I'm not interested in then I'm more inclined to give up and say that I don't understand it. I've always been a very visual and hands on type of learner. I have to be given examples or have someone guide me through the steps to really grasp a concept. Though, once I understand the process I have it down. I'm not an auditory learner at all, never have been. Explaining something to me by talking will not work. You can tell me how to do something one hundred times, but I won't understand it until I actually see it taking place.

I definitely look forward to learning more about the growth mindset this semester. I think that it's something that is needed desperately in our society right now. In middle school and high school we are taught how to take tests and we learn exactly what is on those tests. We don't actually learn much of anything that will help us in the future because the schools and administrators are worried about test scores. If the test scores are bad they're jobs could be at risk. It's a messed up system, but I think there is a way to fix it. Carol Dweck has some great ideas when it comes to the Growth Mindset and I'm looking forward to learning more this semester.

(Comfort Zone, Canfield)

I like this image because none of us like to be uncomfortable, but if we don't ever step out of our comfort zone we won't get to experience and enjoy life.

Storybook Favorites

Picking three storybooks from the hundreds available was a difficult task! There were so many different types over so many different topics. The three that really caught my eye were "I Was A Teenage Mythological Creature", "Greek Goddesses on Trial", and "Fairytale Case Files".

I thought the game show idea in the storybook, I Was A Teenage Mythological Creature, was a very interesting and new way to present mythological creatures. I would've never thought to present mythological creatures in this way, but it makes sense. Pitting these creatures against each other is an excellent way not only get to know each character individually, but also connecting them all in a sense. Sharing their diary posts makes it more personal, which makes it easier for the audience to relate to the characters.

I also like the idea of putting goddesses on trial like in the storybook, Greek Goddesses on Trial. It's a very comical way to tell the stories of these Greek goddesses "crimes". Another interesting idea was to have the court scribe tell the story. It's like you are actually in the courtroom witnessing the trial, instead of reading it like a typical book in paragraph format.

(Hera: Crystal Links)

I opened the Fairytale Case Files storybook because of the words "Case Files". I used to love watching shows such as Cold Case Files and Snapped, so I thought from the title that this storybook would probably be one I would enjoy. Turns out I was right. Yet another interesting way to go about sharing the stories of old fairy tales. Using a detective and making it a mystery type of story already grabs my attention. I mean, who doesn't like a good mystery?

(Crime Scene by Yumi Kimura)

Another storybook I liked, mostly because it involved flying, was Delays and Layovers: Trials of Travel. I would really like to associate my storybook with flying in some way.

UnTextbook Overview

For Week 2, one of the units that caught my eye was Cupid and Psyche. We've all been made aware of cupid growing up, but all I was ever really taught about him was that he shot arrows to make people fall in love. I thought it would be interesting to read the story that started it all.

(Cupid and Psyche, by Stanhope)

Looking ahead at all of the units, I did find four that I thought might be interesting to read about.

The first one I noticed was Alice In Wonderland. Everybody is familiar with Alice In Wonderland. There were numerous children's books and movies I recall reading and watching as a kid, but I've never actually read the "real" story.

(Alice illustration by Arthur Rackham)

Another one I noticed was Dante's Inferno. I've heard that this was a really good story, from people throughout the years, but I never really knew what it was. Reading the overview I knew instantly I would enjoy it. How descriptive he is about his complete journey through Hell. I can't wait to read this one!

(Dante's Inferno, by Gustave Doré)

One more that caught my eye was Egyptian Myth. I've always been fascinated by the Egyptian culture, hieroglyphics, pyramids, etc. I also think this one will be a very interesting read.

(Thoth, from Luxor)

Lastly, Robin Hood. Another story everyone is familiar with due to movies and passed down stories from past generations, but do we know the "original" story? I think it's very intriguing to compare what I already know, or what I thought I knew, to the "real" or "original" stories.

(Robin Hood statue in Nottingham)

Introduction to a Pilot's World

Hello everyone!

My name is Austin Freeman and I'm a senior this year graduating in May. I'm 22 years old. I graduated from Mustang High School in 2011.

I'm majoring in Aviation Management with a minor in General Business. By far the coolest thing about my major is that I get to fly for some of my classes instead of having to sit in a classroom all day!

(Image Info: Personal photo from Norman, OK; September 2013)

Flying over campus coming in to land at Westheimer.

I'm not much of a reader but I do tend to binge watch a series on Netflix when I get the chance. Some of my favorite TV shows are American Horror Story, Parks and Recreation, Scandal, Revenge & How To Get Away With Murder. I also really enjoy documentaries.

My two favorite movies right now are probably Gravity and Interstellar. It would be AMAZING to go to space and I would go in a heartbeat if given the chance!

As for music I have a fairly diverse library. Music is a big part of my life and I'm always looking for new artists and songs to listen to! If I listen to a song and like it then I'll download it. I don't hold myself to one genre. Although, I am a HUGE Adele fan and I was lucky enough to get front row tickets to see her in Miami and I'm beyond excited about that! You would probably say I'm a concert addict. The list of concerts I've attended is a long one, and I've got a bunch of concerts I'm attending this year!

I didn't get to go anywhere exciting over break, but I did go to Vegas for Halloween and I got to see Britney for a third time! There's a little snippet of her in my favorite places post if you want to check that out! :)

At this point I'm not sure where I want to work after graduation exactly, but I do know I want to be flying and traveling the world.

(Image Info: Personal photo from Norman, OK; August 2013)

The day I received my Pilot's license.

I currently don't have any pets, yet. Although, my family is friends with a breeder that breeds silver labs and I have one in the next litter. As soon as I get him I'll be sure to post pics! In the meantime though, my roommate just got a golden retriever puppy and I babysit him all the time. He is SO adorable!

 (Image Info: Personal photo from Norman, OK; February 2016)

Hello. It's me, Scout.

One thing most people think is interesting about my family is that we drag race. My family owns a drag race team and our driver, Erica Enders-Stevens, has won the World Championship the past two years! The first ever female to win a championship in the Pro Stock Class! She made history again this year by being the first female to win two Pro Stock Championships. Our team is expanding this year, adding three more drivers so that's something we're looking forward to going into the 2016 season!

(Image Info: Personal photo from Las Vegas; October 2015)

The whole crew and family after Erica won the race in Vegas, clinching the championship for the second consecutive year! (I'm in there somewhere.)

That's all I can think to post for now! Looking forward to a great semester and meeting all of you!

Week 1 Storytelling: Diddle and his Imagination

HEY! diddle, diddle,

The cat and the fiddle, 

The cow jumped over the moon; 

The little dog laugh'd 

To see the sport, 

While the dish ran after the spoon. 

(Traditional nursery rhyme)

---------------

There was once a boy named Diddle. He lived on a farm in rural Nebraska. His head was always in the clouds day dreaming of a place where all of his animal friends could talk and play with him. His parents always told him his thoughts were nonsense, and that he needed to focus on working the farm so he could take it over one day. Even though his parents tried and tried to keep him grounded, it never worked. He continued to daydream and hope that one day he would prove to them all that his dreams were real.

(Boy on a Farm)

Late one night he was suddenly awoken by a faint voice outside his window saying, "Hey Diddle, Diddle!" He jumped out of bed to see who was there, but the only thing he saw was his cat sitting by the hay stacks staring up at his bedroom window. He heard the voice again, "Hey Diddle, Diddle!" He thought to himself, "I know I shouldn't go out late at night by myself, but I have to see who is calling my name."

He walked out on the back porch and waited for the voice again. Minutes went by, still nothing. He decided to call out, "Hello, is anyone there?" All of a sudden his cat jumped out from behind a hay bale and exclaimed, "Hey Diddle, we've been waiting for you!" Diddle couldn't believe his eyes! His cat, Charlie, was sitting on a hay bale playing a fiddle! His emotions ran wild! He was frightened, ecstatic, shocked, and overcome with joy! His dreams had finally come true! One of his animals could talk, and not only talk, he could play the fiddle!

(Cat playing the fiddle)

He ran out into the yard to see if any of his other animal friends had changed. His favorite cow, Bessie, began dancing around. She told him how long they had waited to reveal themselves and how happy they were to finally be able to open up to him. Bessie was so excited that night she did something no cow had done before, she jumped over the moon! Not everyone believed that Bessie jumped the moon that night. Even Diddle's dog, Simon, laughed at the thought of Bessie making it over the moon. Simon was always jealous because he wanted Diddle all to himself. Even though some didn't believe Diddle knew what happened because he saw Bessie make it over the moon.

The next day Diddle was doing his afternoon chores still thinking about all he had witnessed the night before. He was so happy and couldn't wait for his parents to get home so he could tell them the good news over dinner. His parents were running late and his mother had called and asked him to set the table before they returned. He was just about finished setting the table when, BANG! He heard a loud noise in the kitchen. He ran to the kitchen to see what happened and was greeted by one his mothers expensive spoons from the cabinet he wasn't allowed to open. The spoon said, "Diddle you cannot tell anyone about the things you have recently learned! If you do, Mr. Dish will catch me and if that happens very bad things will happen to all of us! Please! I'm begging you! DO NOT tell anyone what you have witnessed!" Diddle was so scared that he promised before he even had time to think! He then watched as Mr. Dish chased the spoon back to his home. Diddle was sad he had to keep all of this a secret, but he knew that he would always have these special friends. Even if no one else knew, he knew.

(Dish and Spoon)

Author's Note: I had always heard this nursery rhyme growing up, but I always thought it was too short and left too much to the imagination. For example, why was a cat playing a fiddle? How did a cow jump over the moon? Why would a dish be chasing after a spoon? Most importantly, what is diddle? Is it a person, a nickname, or just slang? So I thought it would make sense to make up a boy named Diddle and tell the story of how his imagination could sometimes get the better of him.

Bibliography: This story is based on the nursery rhyme "Hey! diddle, diddle" in The Nursery Rhyme Book, edited by Andrew Lang (1897).

My Favorite Places

Picking one place in the world I would consider "my favorite" is a hard choice to make. So I narrowed my favorite places down to three. Honolulu, Las Vegas & Nassau.

Honolulu, Hawaii. I just visited Honolulu for the first time in August 2015. Hawaii is one of the most beautiful places on earth. From the beaches, craters, bays, and Pearl Harbor it is easily one of my favorite places.

(Image Info: Personal photo from Hanauma Bay; August 2015)

We went snorkeling one morning in Hanauma Bay.

(Image Info: Personal photo from Koko Head Crater; August 2015)

We hiked Koko Head Crater and it was not easy! 1106 steps on old railroad ties. 

(Image Info: Personal photo from Diamond Head Crater; August 2015)

My mom and I after we hiked Diamond Head Crater, Honolulu in the background.

Las Vegas, Nevada. I've been to Vegas around five times now and I can't wait to go back! I don't necessarily love to gamble I just love walking the strip, people watching, and taking in the city. Also, I've seen Britney three times now and I would see her again in a heartbeat! :)

The strip at night: Vegas

(Video Info: Personal video from Las Vegas; October 2015)

Here's a little snippet of Britney the last time I saw her.

Nassau, Bahamas. As you can see from all of my favorite places I love warm weather. Whether it's the desert or a beach I really enjoy the heat. I've visited Atlantis in the Bahamas three times now and if I could move there tomorrow I would. The water is crystal clear, the locals are friendly, and the beaches are perfect. What more could you ask for?

(Image Info: Personal photo from Nassau, Bahamas; January 2014)

Sunset picture over Nassau.

(Image Info: Personal photo from Nassau, Bahamas; January 2014)

View from our room.