Week 1: Famous Last Words

Famous Last Words

  This week I feel like I have learned a lot from this class. I have really learned a lot of useful tips for the internet. I made a blog! I never thought I would do that, or even know how to do that! Along with learning how to create a blog, I am learning how to use it and how to make changes based on what I like and dislike. For example, I know how to change the layout, background, font and colors of my blog. At first, I did not really like posting pictures with my blog posts because I thought it was complicated, but now I cannot imagine posting one without an image. It really adds something to the post. I have done four technology tips so far and those are really teaching me a lot because I am purposely picking ones that are going to teach me something new. I think that along with learning a lot about Mythology and Folklore, I will also learn a lot technology wise from this class. My other classes are going pretty well so far, but I know it is going to be a tough semester. I am in Spanish 2113 which is my third Spanish class at OU. I am nervous because I am not the best at Spanish and I know it is a lot of work since it is online. We have homework and quizzes due almost every day much like this class. I am also in Methods of Social Research which may be a difficult class too. We have lots of long papers to write in that class, and my teacher is VERY loud and intimidating. 

In honor of my grandparent's 51st anniversary coming up at the end of the month, the picture I have posted is of my sisters, my mom, my grandparents, and I at their 50th anniversary bash last year (I am the one in pink, this was before I chopped off my hair)!  It was such a great party, and they are still so sweet and in love after all these years!

(Grandmother & Grandfather's 50th anniversary party taken by my dad)

Week 1: Storybook Favorites

Storybook Favorites

The first storybook that I have picked is the Italian Love Story. What drew my attention to this story was the introduction. When I saw the introduction page there was a picture of the cast from How I Met Your Mother. I watched this show when it was on so I was immediately curious about it. I was interested in how the author would tell the story with a connection to the show. I thought it was a really good idea to mix these stories because it was very interesting. It was fun and a very different way of rewriting a story.

The second storybook I picked was Nursery Rhymes Gone Wrong. What captured me on this storybook was the title because it announces the topic of the story very clearly. I think that is really important because it is the first impression that the storybook leaves on someone. When I am looking through the list of storybooks the first thing I see is the title, and the title is what makes me either read or not read the storybook. If there is a boring title or a title that sounds not interesting to me, I probably will not read it. The thing I was not crazy about was the pictures the author used in this storybook.

The third storybook that I choose is Mermaid Tales from Around the World. The reason I chose this storybook is because I really liked the use of images in this story. Every page had a different beautiful picture of a mermaid. I thought the images were perfect for this story, and really add to the design of the page.  I am a very visual person, and the first thing I looked for in these stories was good pictures. I think they can really make a storybook special.

Mermaid Tales from Around the World

Week 1: Introduction

Introduction 

Hi! My name is Stephanie and unlike many of the students from the University of Oklahoma I am actually from Norman, OK. I am in my senior year here at OU, and I am a Sociology major. I was in Business at first, but decided it really was not for me! I had always really enjoyed my sociology classes so I decided to change majors, and I really love it! The classes are really interesting and enjoyable. I just turned 22 years old this summer, and I can tell it is going to be a great year! I love to cook, bake, shop, and hang out with my family and boyfriend as much as I can!

Lady Antebellum at OKC Fest taken by me Stephanie Griffin

I had the best summer I have had in a while. I absolutely love country music so for my birthday my boyfriend bought me OKC Fest tickets. It was sucha great show, and so much fun! I cannot wait to go again next year! 

Gracie taken by me Stephanie Griffin 

Bandit taken by Suzy Griffin

Gracie on Halloween by Stephanie Griffin

I have two dogs named Gracie and Bandit. Gracie is a silver toy poodle and she is the sweetest dog you will ever meet. Bandit is a black and white husky and he is also the sweetest. The cool thing about him is that he has a blue eye and a brown eye! He is not nearly as intimidating as he looks :)

Jennifer & I taken by me

Michelle & I taken by Jennifer Griffin

I have two sisters who I am lucky enough to call my best friends! Michelle is 19 and is starting her sophomore year this fall at UCO. Jennifer is 16 on September 11th and she is a sophomore at Norman North this year. We are all so different! I am the oldest and definitely the more responsible one of the three as of right now! Michelle is the wild child, is obsessed with pickles, and is way taller than me. Jennifer is also taller than me, and she is the funny one of us three. She is crazy and loves to have fun, and is the sister that is good at EVERYTHING. 

Plaza de Espana taken by Don Griffin

In July I was lucky enough to get to travel to Spain with my dad and two sisters. We spent 3 days in Sevilla, and a week in Barcelona. We got to see so many beautiful things, but my favorite was the Plaza de España in Sevilla (pictured above, I am the one in navy). It was so colorful and beautiful, it was definitely a highlight. I really, really love to travel. I love experiencing new cultures, and the way people live in other places. I find it fascinating, so I feel really lucky to be able to experience that this summer! Next, I would love to go to England or Ireland, or both! This fall I am looking forward to some cooler weather, the holidays, "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay-Part 1" (because I absolutely love the books, the movies, and Jennifer Lawrence), and becoming one semester closer to graduating! I am taking some pretty difficult courses so I am praying that I manage my time well, and do not get too stressed out! I have been trying to get in this class for about 2 years so I am really excited to be able to take it this semester!

Week 1: Storytelling: The Hares and the Frogs

Storytelling

The Hares and the Frogs illustration by Milo Winter

The Hares and the Frogs 

As you may know, Hares are very easily frightened. They see the tiniest glimpse of a shadow, and they are jumping out of their fur and darting into the nearest hole. They hear the slightest of a sound and scurry off as fast as they can. As you can imagine, it is extremely hard to go a few seconds at all without seeing a shadow or hearing a sound. Therefore the Hares spend most of their day running away from noises and shadows. They can not enjoy their lives when they are constantly wasting the day in hiding spot after hiding spot. 

One day, the group of Hares had had it. They could not stand living in fear anymore, and needed to come up with a solution to end their misery. Finally, they came together and all concluded that dying a quick death would be better for them than living such a nervous and skittish life. They discussed the ways they could die that would be quick and not put them into too much pain. One Hare said "We could all jump of a cliff. It would be fast and easy." Another stated, "We could run straight into a pack of wolves to be eaten immediately. It would be painful, but very short lived." 

As they were pondering, they heard a slight brush in the bushes nearby. Being Hares, they hurried off as fast as they could to the burrow. While running to the burrow, they stumbled across a pond where Frogs were peacefully enjoying the day on a nice log. The Frogs got scared when they heard the Hares scurrying by. Immediately, the Frogs jumped right into the water for they felt safe there. 

"Wow,"  said a Hare, "we thought things were bad for us, but here we find creatures who are actually afraid of us, only Hares!"

Authors Note: "The Hares and the Frogs" can be found in The AESOP for Children. It is originally a story about how Hares are scared and easily frightened so they decided they would rather die than live that way. They eventually realize that something is actually scared of them and that makes them feel better and they decide not to die. I did not change too much about the story, but just elaborated more on certain parts. 

Book: The AESOP for Children

Author: Aesop

Year Published: 1919

Web Source: Aesop for Children

Week 1: Un-Textbook

UN-Textbook Readings

Week 2: I think the story about Cupid & Psyche sounds interesting. I realized that I do not think I have ever heard the story about Cupid so I would definitely love to ready about it. I also really love Greek mythology in general so I am more likely to read the stories about Gods and Goddesses.

Week  4 & 5: I thought that the Persian Fairy Tales stories looked interesting. They include fairies, demons, and werewolves which all sound exciting! This one might be a fun read!

Week 11 & 12: I have never read the story of Beowulf, but it is a story I have always heard about. For this reason I would consider choosing this story. The caption sounds very intense and captivating. The story even includes a fire breathing dragon.

Week 11 & 12: I also would love to read Alice in Wonderland because I am sure it is very different than the movie. I do not recall ever seeing the full movie, but I would like to see the differences based on what I do know about the movie.

Blogger Templates Tech Tip

Blogger Templates Tech Tip

I really like more colorful things so I liked the "Watercolor" templates, but I also liked the "Picture Window" template and decided to choose the sky background within that template for my blog. I wanted something that was not too plain, but also not too distracting. I do not like it too simple because to me that would not grab my attention. I really like the background I chose because it is clean and not too busy. It is also great because you can read everything I post with this layout. I have never blogged before so it was fun to play with different backgrounds and layouts, and to see that you could really customize your blog. It is nice to know that you can really make your page your own!

Week 1 Favorite Places: Hawaii

I decided to pick Hawaii for my favorite places. I have a lot of favorites, but this one has to be the greatest!

Crystal Blue Waters of Hawaii

Being the beach lover that I am, my favorite place in the world has to be Hawaii! I have been to Hawaii twice and have concluded that it is pretty much the most beautiful place I have seen. It is peaceful, yet exciting at the same time. It is also a great place for a family to have fun together, or an awesome place to honeymoon (which is what I want to do). The first time I went to Hawaii, I went to Maui with my whole family which was great! There was great restaurants there, some shopping, and great hotels. I loved it! The second time I went with just my dad because his work had won a trip to Kona which is on the Big Island. It was very different from Maui. There was black volcanic rock everywhere and our hotel was very secluded.  Overall, Hawaii is an exotic, laid back, gorgeous destination where you can have the most amazing time whether you are on a family vacation or a romantic getaway! I plan to make many more trips in the future, and will hopefully visit all of the islands some day.