Week 11: Famous Last Words

This week is been really hectic. With a stomach bug going around the house and both my brothers birthdays this week, I've been very busy. I also have a new addition to my household. My younger sister is now living with me so now I have a two-year-old and a 17-year-old.  I also bought a brand spanking new Mac computer. So that's really exciting for me. My old computer was on it's last leg and I didn't think it would make it through the semester.

I was also able to speak with the great artist about using his work in my story book. His name is Henry David Johnson and you can check out his work here.

Yesterday I went to the Oklahoma Science Museum. I haven't been there in years and it was so much fun. I went with my husband son older brother and nephew. We read segways, climb through the odd-ity tower, and watched the planetarium show. There were so many things to do we needed a whole day. It's so much different from when I went as a grade school student. It's fun for all ages and I encourage you to check it out yourself.

(My Nephew Hayden riding a Segway, Source: Personal Photo)

This week I read Blake's story book. It's called It's Time to Learn Your Werewolf History and it's well worth the time it takes to read it. He does a really great job and the writing is beautiful. I definitely recommend it for your project feedback post.

So that was my week I hope yours was great as well and maybe a little less hectic.

Week 11:Growth Mindset

I tried a very different strategy for writing this week. I normally type out stories and blog post on my computer but this week I decided to speak my stories into my cell phone. I've noticed that this helps me be more careful about my word choice when speaking and helps me to formulate my story in my mind before I start writing. What's great about this technique is it allows me to write anywhere that I have my phone. This has allowed me to utilize time I would not of had otherwise for this class. I hope that it has reflected well in my writing. 

(Growth mindset memes, class blogspot)

I also feel like this technique will help me with public speaking. I have a presentation this week and capstone and I get very nervous speaking in front of people and jumble my words. By practicing speaking my thoughts out loud I hope to become more comfortable speaking in front of others.

So maybe you can give this a try in your own stories. Have a great week!

Week 11:Curation

This week while researching images I discovered a wonderful artist named Howard David Johnson. He creates a prolific amount of art depicting mythological characters. His website features everything from Greek mythology, to fairy creatures, to dragons. I emailed him this weekend and he's allowed me noncommercial reuse of some of his beautiful images. I hope you will check out his art as well.

(Titania by Howard David Johnson)

I've also been utilizing Wikipedia extensively and learning the geography of Ireland. Did you know that less than 1% of Ireland is covered in forest?

I have been keeping track of the sources using bookmarks and Pinterest. If you'd like to check out my Pinterest page for this class you can find the link here. I use bookmarks the most!

Extra Reading Diary: Celtic Fairy Tales II

Myth-Folklore Unit: More Celtic Fairy Tales

READING A

1. The Fate of the Children of Lir

This was the most somber story of the unit and more in line with what I expected from the unit.  It's tragic and beautiful though.

2. The Vision of MacConglinney

This has been one of my favorite stories this class.  All the talk about bacon kept me laughing! It also sparked my imagination. When I read this story, I imagined MacConglinney as a con man. The story would be so much fun if MacConglinney and the demon were in cohoots.  I can't wait to rewrite my version. I plan to use my own favorite foods in place of the one's in the original story. Buttermilk just isn't my thing.  Ice cream on the other hand.

As far as the orignial goes, I find myself identifying with King Cathal. I have a voracious appetite and often eat more than seems humanly possible. It must have been tortuous to listen to MacConglinney's tale after fasting all night. The description of the demon in King Cathal's mouth reminded me of Cymothoa exigua, or the tongue eating louse. It's a small parasite that infects fish by swimming in through their gills. It then travels to the oral cavity where it eats and replaces the tongue!!!

(Cymothoa exigua, aka the stuff of nightmares)

3. Dream of Owen O'Mulready
I found this story humorous as well

4. The Story of the McAndrew Family
I can't help but feel sorry for the McAndrew brothers.  O'Toole just kept taking advantage of them.

Story source: More Celtic Fairy Tales by Joseph Jacobs with illustrations by John D. Batten (1895).