Reading Diary A: Saints and Animals

I decided to read the unit on Saints and Animals, stories from Book of Saints and Friendly Beasts.

The first story, called St. Kentigern and the Robin focuses on the life of St. Kentigern, who was a very holy young boy. He was the favorite pupil of St. Servan, the teacher of the school in Glasgow where Kentigern attended. What I loved about St. Kentigern was his strong faith and kind disposition, even as the other boys were trying to get him in trouble out of their jealousy. In fact, that is where the robin comes into play, which was St. Servan's favorite friend. The boys killed the poor robin and blamed it on Kentigern. When Servan approached him about it, Kentigern wanted to prove his innocence. So he prayed sincerely to God saying "If I am innocent, give me power to undo the wrong and restore life to the little singer who loved to praise Thee with his sweet voice." He then set the robin's neck back into place, and the bird came to life! The boys never treated him wrong after that, and he grew even more into favor with Servan.

(Image information: A red-breasted robin, which was healed by St. Kentigern.

Source: UnTextbook and Wikipedia)

The second story was one of St. Blaise. St. Blaise was a good Christian who lived in a place that was mostly "heathen" in Armenia. He was a very holy and pious man and wanted to help every creature he could, men and beasts. So he became a doctor, and he healed many people with prayers and medicine. He was such a righteous man that even the wild beasts in the forest where he prayed kept him company, and were tame in his presence. It came to pass that he became bishop of the town, and because of the heathens who were afraid that he would convert everyone, he was persecuted. When they found Blaise in the forest, he was surrounded by the wild beasts, and they did not disturb him. And when they finally captured him, they could not execute him by means of wild animals, as was the usual way. They eventually had to behead him.

The next story focused on St. Comgall and mice. There were to stories of St. Comgall's nature to animals, who were seemingly attracted to the man for his piety. However, the second story was the important one. Long story short, there was a famine in Ireland, and many people were starving. The cruel prince there kept all the grains and seeds for himself and his mother, who was called Mouse for her likeness to the rodent. So Comgall, after being denied by the prince a trade of a silver goblet for grain, used the mother's name as an idea. That night, he talked to the mice of the town and told them the story and what to do. In the middle of the night, every mouse went to the storeroom and ate every bit of grain there, so that the prince and his mother had nothing, along with everyone else.

(Image info: A field mouse, much like one sent by St. Comgall to eat the prince's grain.

Source: UnTexbook and Wikipedia)

The last story was about St. Berach and his many encounters with animals and nature. Because of his devotion to God and his kindhearted nature, Berach was able to talk to animals, and even got a wolf to become the son of a cow after the wolf ate the cow's calf. It continues to tell the stories of his control of nature, even during the winter, when he managed to make apples grow in the snow.

The main recurring ideas in these stories were, of course, the devotion to God and the kind dispositions of the saints that even animals were attracted to. They used their faith to perform miracles and communicate with animals.

Week 1 Curation

Because of all the pointless, absurd, or just flat-out incorrect information that covers the internet, it's becoming increasingly more important to know how to sift through all the crap to find good online resources. Then again, if you're looking for crap, you'll be able to find that without a problem.

Regardless, once good resources are found, it's also a task to remember them all. That's why bookmarking them is one of the best ways to keep track of all the abundant resources for school and life in general. For instance, at the top of my browser are bookmarks for D2L, Ozone, Nursing school applications, my Chegg account, and Netflix. Honestly, that just about sums up my life right now; you can tell a lot about someone by looking at their priority bookmarks. But up until this post, I didn't even realize you could add folders and organize your sites better that way.

Now, I am familiar with both Twitter and Pinterest, although I don't have a Pinterest. I use Twitter quite frequently, but very rarely for school purposes (but that can definitely change for this class). For Pinterest, my impression was it was mostly a site for girls to post pictures of creative and artsy things that they wanted/wished they could make. Obviously I now know I'm wrong, and I just might use it if it could help me be successful in the class.

Overall, I can't really think of any other strategies that I use to organize my online resources. But I'm sure as the semester goes on, I'll be enlightened as to how to organize them better, either through experience or from reading someone's post! But until then, it seems like bookmarking is the best way to go!

(Image information: Organizing resources into files can provide easier and quicker access.

Source: Pixabay)

Growth Mindset Reaction

Although I've never heard of Carol Dweck or the Growth Mindset before, I have been able to put into practice much of what the growth mindset is about: a positive reaction to challenges. I have always enjoyed doing puzzles and solving riddles since I was a kid, and I remember getting such a huge rush from figuring out the right answer to the riddles or finding the perfect piece to a puzzle. So naturally, that sense of determination permeated into my school and sports life. However just because I was lucky enough as a kid to get a kick out of learning new things, doesn't mean there weren't others who struggled with any challenges they faced. The beauty of the Dweck's Growth Mindset is that it is an explicit plan for students so that those who never see problems as an new opportunity to learn are given the right tools to change their mindset.

College was definitely an awakening for me and how I viewed myself and the new challenges that were ahead of me. I knew I was smart, and I never had to study that much in high school so I thought college wouldn't be too difficult. But of course, I learned the hard way that it was much different than anything I've encountered. At first, I became so overwhelmed and anxious by the newness of the college life that I couldn't do anything, so I shut down. However, as time went on and I grew up a bit, I continued to learn how to cope with the problems that I faced. And after a while, I turned the stress of learning new things into a desire to look for the novelty and excitement that the challenges presented. This desire was part of my own personal Growth Mindset, and even though it took a couple years to develop, it has become one of the most important tools for my success in life so far.

And now that I know that there is such a distinct and direct focus on the development of this mindset in younger students, I'm eager to see how successful people can become! I know that I will continue to apply my growth mindset not just in school, but in my work, in my relationships with others, and in my own personal development.

(Image information: Simple yet profound quote. I learned this lesson the hard way.

 Source: Twitter and Memes Blog)

Storybook Favorites

The first project that caught my attention was Monster Hunter. The title itself intrigued me, and as I read the introduction, it was pretty clear what the project was about. The author was creative in his Introduction, as he presents himself as an old and seasoned monster hunter telling stories about his many scars. The Storybook consisted of four monsters that the author apparently hunted when he was a younger man. The monsters included a vampire, dragon, ogre, and a wolf, all of which came from stories from previous Units. The layout consisted of a dark cabin-like room with the only light coming from a fireplace, and it definitely seemed fitting of the author’s theme. Overall, I enjoyed his Storybook.

The second Storybook I looked at was called Deeper into the Forest of the Brothers Grimm. I chose to look at this Storybook because of my interest in the stories written by the Brothers. I learned quickly from the introduction that I will learn plenty of details about these stories when I read them. The author wrote the intro very well, in a way that made me place myself into the Dark Forest. The Storybook continued by flashing back to the events that took place before the Introduction, which were of course based on Grimm stories. The layout seemed appropriate, seeing as it had wood as the background. But I thought it could have been a bit darker and less plain. But still, the writing made up for it, and overall it was pretty enjoyable.

The last Storybook that intrigued me was one called Hotel California. This one was definitely my favorite out of the projects I read through. The whole Storybook was written as one long horror story that takes place a hotel. The author’s Introduction presents a young couple that has to check into a hotel for the night, and the receptionist tells them about the creepy events that have taken place there. They take it for fun, until things start happening to them! The author tells the story of the couple through other ghost stories, horror movies, and urban legends. The layout is a bit lighter than I expected, but still appropriate. I greatly enjoyed this project. 

All three of these projects definitely sparked my interest, and reading through the other Storybooks gets me a little excited to do it! I'm definitely looking forward to this project!

Here is a photo from the last story of Hotel California:

Image information: Ghost silouette; Source: TTDesign

UnTextbook Reading Choices

Well to start off, when I decided to take this course, I was expecting Folklore and Mythology to cover the basics of classical Roman and Greek mythology and maybe some interesting folklore from Oklahoma or surrounding areas. But man was I pleasantly surprised at the multitude of options that we ourselves get to choose! With that said, here a few that intrigued me.

The first Unit to stick out was Aesop's Fables, either by Winter or Jacobs ( I haven't decided which). The main reason this stuck out was because I distinctly remember reading Aesop's Fables way back in elementary school. Every reading time we had, I'd go straight toward that book and read all the short stories, and my favorite parts were always the morals of the stories. So I'm interested to see firstly, if I remember any of the stories in these Units, and secondly, if I can apply any of the morals in my own life or if I've already learned them the hard way. I cannot wait to start reading them again!

Next, Dante's Inferno definitely stuck out to me. I've been wanting to read Dante's Divine Comedy ever since we briefly studied it in high school English. The fact that it is such a classic and well-known work presses me to read it, and the heavily Christian aspects in it also stick out to me. I really look forward to reading about how the different punishments in each circle correspond to the sin that the soul committed. My biggest worries about reading Dante's Inferno include the length of the work and whether or not I'll have enough time to read all of it.

(Inferno, from the Divine Comedy by Dante by Bartolomeo Di Fruosino; A painting depicting the many circles of Hell that Dante goes through; Source: from UnTextbook and Wikipedia)

Thirdly, I was intrigued by the Saints and Animals Unit, especially because I'm Catholic and really enjoy reading about saints and their holy lives. Even though I know some saint stories can be greatly exaggerated, I still find them very interesting and even inspiring sometimes.

What also caught my attention was the unit on the Grimm Brothers, but I haven't quite decided which version to use. The reason I want to read these units is because I'm familiar with many of their stories, but I would really love to read their actual stories, not just adaptations. 

It may take me some time, but I know that the stories are very entertaining, so I'm really looking forward to reading them!

Introduction

Hello everyone,

My name is Peter Guzman, and I am a senior here at OU. I am originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, but I am beginning to call Oklahoma City and Norman my new home. I am studying Health and Exercise Science, and want to purse a nursing degree hopefully at the Health Sciences Center. I would want to be either a traveling nurse or a pediatric nurse, or both if possible. I am one of nine kids, so family has always been important to me. My nieces and nephews are the biggest joys in my life, and I relish every chance I get to go back home to see them and my siblings and parents. I enjoy watching and playing sports, especially basketball and soccer. I’ve played soccer almost all my life, and now I am becoming a coach. I've always been a tall and goofy, laid-back guy, and it takes a lot to get me upset or angry. I currently work for a high-end men’s clothing store in downtown Oklahoma City. It’s not really what I want to do with my life, but I do appreciate the opportunity and the experience.

My biggest struggle I can see for this semester especially is my Human Anatomy class and lab. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great class (or so I’ve heard), but I’ve also heard it takes over your life. But I am looking forward to what I get to learn from it. This online class, however, is a blessing since I get to manage my work on my time so it does not really clash with my study time.

My hobbies include reading, playing video games, and other nerdy things. If I had to choose, my favorite food would be sushi since I can eat it pretty much every day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Since I can’t think of anything else to say, I’ll just end it here!

Looking forward to a great semester!

Pictured: Human chest anatomy. Source: Wikipedia

Week 1 Storytelling: The World's Strongest Man

A very long time ago in a distant land across the ocean, there lived two best friends, Arnold and Hanz.  These two young boys were inseparable; they did everything together, from hunting to fishing to stealing food for each other just so they could eat. They ate the same meals, used the same bed, and even shared the same clothes together. The villagers would even say that they were two brothers born from different wombs. Where one boy would go, the other would quickly follow.

Now the boys grew up like this, with the strongest of loyalty and the best of friendships. Arnold matured into a kind and humble young man, while Hanz became known for his arrogant and competitive attitude, which on several occasions dragged Arnold and him both into many altercations. The two developed a reputation throughout the land for their physical prowess. And yet the two remained the best of friends, and throughout their many escapades together over the years, the boys grew to become exceedingly strong and resilient. So strong, in fact, that they garnered the attention of the nation’s king who was in search of a suitable partner for his beautiful daughter, Princess Hoze.

So when the day that beautiful Princess Hoze finally came to their lowly village to see her suitors, the two men who had shared everything growing up naturally imbued the same passion and desire for the princess.

“Whom in this village is the strongest, most resilient, and most powerful man,” the princess asked, “so that he might be my new prince?”

Instantly, Arnold and Hanz spoke up, “It is I!”

The two men shot a seething glance at each other, not realizing that their desire for the princess could drive them apart.

“Well then,” said Princess Hoze, “I declare we have a competition to determine who indeed is the strongest. Whomever can lift the most weight above his head shall be the champion!”

“I’ll go first!” shouted Hanz arrogantly, puffing his chest. He walked up to the bar tied with 500 bricks on both ends. He grabbed it, and giving a loud roar, hoisted the weight above his head. The crowd gave a loud applause, and the princess looked to be impressed.

“It’s my turn, then,” spoke Arnold softly. “Please double the amount of bricks on the bar so that I may prove to the beautiful princess I am truly the strongest man in the world.”

At this command, the crowd, Princess Hoze, and Hanz all gasped in amazement. “Double the weight?” they cried, “But that will certainly crush him!”

With confidence, Arnold walked up to the 2000-brick bar. He clenched the bar in his hands, and with a booming, bellowing yell, Arnold lifted the bar just barely above his head before letting the weight crash back down to the earth.

The crowd erupted with applause, and the princess seemed taken by the amazing feat. But Hanz, unrelenting in his pursuit of Princess Hoze, was determined to defeat his competition.

“Impressive brother, but I’ll surely prove I am the strongest!” Hanz said. “Double the weight!” he shouted. Despite everyone, including the princess and Arnold, objecting to the demand, Hanz had the weight doubled to 4000 bricks.

With the uneasy crowd watching, along with Arnold and Hoze, Hanz grabbed the bar. And with a thunderous yell, Hanz heaved the bar up to his shoulders. “He actually might do it!” the crowd gasped. 

Hanz lifted it just a little higher…

Then suddenly, under the enormous amount of weight, Hanz dropped the bar. And when it dropped, it fell on his neck, breaking it instantly. At this, Arnold sprinted over to his dear friend and wept, apologizing for letting his love for the princess kill his best friend.

After all of this, Princess Hoze finally spoke, saying “You are indeed the strongest man in the world. But I do not love you, Arnold. I must leave you to find a better suitor. Goodbye.”

THE END

Moral of the story: Bros before Hoze

The real moral of the story? Don’t try to do the impossible, especially for the sake of pride.

Author's Note:

The original story is one of Aesop's fable called "The Frogs and the Ox." In this story, an ox stops by a pond to drink and accidentally steps on a young frog, killing it. The other frogs who saw the incident tell the old frog what happened, describing the ox as a huge monster. The old frog then tries to puff herself up to try and get an idea of how big the ox was. The young frogs tell her that she isn't as big, to which she responds by puffing up more and more until she explodes.

The moral of the story was "Do not attempt the impossible."
When I read the fable, the frog puffing herself up gave me an image of that person who likes to work out too much and who doesn't believe that someone might be bigger than them. From there, I tried to write an entertaining story about how pride can cause people to attempt to be bigger than what they are. 

Bibliography:

"The Frogs and the Ox" by anonymous, from The Aesop for Children, with Pictures by Milo Winter (1919). Web source: Project Gutenberg

Photo Credit:
Stanislaus Zybszko (left) and Ike Robin shake hands before their 1926 fight in New Zealand. Unidentified photographer. Source: Wikipedia