Portfolio Guide

Heart Full of Hate
This is a story of a boy who loved the girl next door. Rob and Sally have been friends for a long time, and once Sally got popular she didn't have much to do with Rob.  Sadly Rob loved Sally more than just friends, and just had to accept that Sally would never love him.  Once he accepted this Rob got a spark of revenge, and set out to ruin Sally's current relationship.

Princess Isabella
Princess Isabella is one of the most loved little girls. Her mother and father loved her so much they were willing to do anything to keep her safe.  Her parents the King and Queen knew of horror stories of kidnaps and killings happening to Princess, so to keep her safe they moved her to a tall mountain, with strict rules. Isabella being, young and lonely, broke the rules, this is where she learned how important rules can be.

Ashleys Regret 
This is a story about two girls.  One girl named Kate is very smart and extremely kind.  The other girl named Ashley struggles with school and is really popular.  Kate and Ashley have lived on the same street for years.  Ashley starts to fail at school and must get help or she will have consequences.  Kate kindly offers to help her, but read to see how Ashley takes advantage of Kate and how it leaves Ashley full of regret.

Week 14 Storytelling: Britt's Breakup

Authors Note: This week for my reading diary I watched Nina Paley’s Sita Sings the Blues.  This is a full-length animated version of the story of Ramayana focusing on Sita.  This film is put together from three modern Indian narrators who make it quite interesting with their own perspectives on the story.  Part of this film also follows the story of Nina and Dave a more modern couple than Ramayana and Sita.  When Dave breaks up with Nina over an email while she is in New York got my story creating skills thinking.  Instead of making my story over Ramayana and Sita I decided to change the focus on Dave and Nina’s relationship.  Dave broke Nina’s heart.  She even begged for him to come back to her.  In my story Britt grows from her breakup with Connor a lot more than she thought she could.  Read here how I changed Britt’s life from being sad to being confident and loving herself.

Britt’s Breakup

There once was a girl who’s name was Britt.  Britt grew up in a very loving home where she had everything she needed provided for her.  Her parents loved her and supported her in anything she wanted to do.  She also had two older brothers that loved her so much they would do anything to keep her safe.  Her family is the typical American family that took vacations in the summer, and stayed very active during the school year with extra curricular activities.  Britt’s favorite extra curricular activity was film making.  Everywhere her and her family went she was always recording their every more.  In the morning she would record her brothers getting ready and eating breakfast.  She would always record her mother making dinner or her father working in the workshop.  Wherever Britt was there was a camera in her hands recording something. 

After high school Britt continued her dream of film making in New York City.  She was accepted into the school of film at the University of New York. Britt was very excited about this but was sad to leave her parents and brothers.  She was scared to leave her comfort and safety of her family, but her dream of film was much bigger than her fear so she moved eight hours away to follow her dream.  Her first semester at school Britt meet a guy named Connor.  Connor was also a film student for the university so it didn’t take them long to connect.  Connor eventually asked Britt on a date and they both realized that they had strong feelings for each other.   After their first date they hung out with each other almost everyday.  Four years of dating and school had passed and they found themselves at graduation together.  Connor had gotten an internship in Los Anglos and left the day after graduation.  Britt never got a job offer so she stayed in New York trying to build up her resume. 

Two weeks after Connor had left he called Britt and told her that they needed to take a break and explore things for themselves.  Britt didn't agree with Connor and tried to convince him to try the long distance relationship a little longer, but Connor wasn’t having it.  This left Britt very sad and depressed.  She never wanted to leave her apartment.  All she did was day dream about Connor.  After being broken up for three weeks Britt was scrolling though Pinterest when she came across the quote:

“The truth is, unless you let go, unless you forgive yourself, unless you forgive the situation, unless you realize that the situation is over, you cannot more forward.”

-Steve Maraboli

This quote inspired Britt to get up out of bed and start with a new adventure.   She updated her resume, and went out looking for a job.  After two week of searching she landed an internship with one of the biggest film directors in New York.  Her life started to look happy again. In fact Britt had never been so happy in her life.  She realized she didn't need Connor to make her happy, and that as long as she is doing what makes her happy she will be able to get up every morning and move forward with her life. 

(Photo Source) 

Bibliography: SitaSings the Blues by Nina Paley, 2008. 

Week 14 Reading Diary: Sita Sings the Blues

Last week I did a video instead of reading a story for the first time.  I really liked watching the video better because I was able to understand the story a thousands times better.  This week I decided to go ahead and do another video for my reading diary.

This week I started Nina Paley's film, Sita Sings the Blues. This is a full-length animated version of the Ramayana, focusing on Sita.  This reading diary is focused on Part B.

(photo source) 

I am really enjoying all of this singing.  It is a great way to teach some people about the history of Ramayana.  It is so fascinating to see that some people have taken a lot of time to help create ways for interesting ways to learn.  These animations are just so interesting and beautiful at the same time.   I also like how it uses modern time in this film, for example San Fransisco.  Very cool that they combine the 14th century and this century.    

Week 14 Reading Diary:Sita Sings the Blues

Last week I did a video instead of reading a story for the first time.  I really liked watching the video better because I was able to understand the story a thousands times better.  This week I decided to go ahead and do another video for my reading diary.

This week I started Nina Paley's film, Sita Sings the Blues. This is a full-length animated version of the Ramayana, focusing on Sita.  This reading diary is focused on Part A.

First off I really like the animations in this video, it makes it fun!  This movie really helped me understand the story line and how people are connected.  I have read bits and piece of the stories that were discussed in part A.  It was nice to see it acted out and to put pictures to the actions I read.  Sometimes when I would read the story would be so out there strong I wasn't sure that i was understanding it.  For example when Sita is enchanted by the Golden Deer. It was cool to see that played out.

(Photo Source) 

Learning Challenges: Time for Reading

Time For Reading

I have never been one to love to read.  In fact I hated it for a very long time.  Since I am dyslexic it has always been a challenge to read a large amount of words, and really enjoy it.  Lately because I have to read so much for school I have come to love to read.  I see that it is good for you in so many ways.  First of your vocabulary grows much stronger and you learn tons of new words.  I try to read things fro enjoyment but sometimes I am just to tired of already reading so much for school.  The best way I get my reading is to read my bible every night.  This way I am taking time to read something that is good for my soul and I'm keeping up with reading every day. Challenge your learning skills by reading every night.  Dr. Seuss had it right when he said this:

                                               

(Photo Source) 

Growth Mindset: Embrace Challenges

The image comes from cheeseburger.

With my major I have done a lot of learning about fixed and growth mindsets.  I have never actually taken the time to place myself in one of these categories.  I think that I go back and forth between a fixed and growth mindset. Some days I am really motivated to move forward with my life while others I just want to lay under my covers all day and wait for good things to happen for me.  I am challenging myself this week with the growth mindset post.  I am challenging myself to embrace challenges instead of lay under the covers.  With graduating in a month (yes a month) I find myself always wanting to stay in bed.  But I am changing that from here on out, it's time for me to start embracing the challenges from here on out. 

 

(photo source) 

Week 13 Reading Diary: 7 Secrets from Hindu Calendar Art (Make/up)

For this weeks reading diary I went with something a little different.  Instead of reading and trying to decode what the story was telling I went with listening to some videos.  I watched Seven Secrets from Hindu Calendar Art.  This video is split up into three parts.  I just watched Part C videos for my extra credit reading.  Both of these videos came from Devout Pattanaik.


These two videos cover Devi's Secret and Vishnu's Secret Part 1.  I learned that the story of Vishnu-Devi is that a lusty ascetic chases her, and she beheads him. He repents and worships her.  Then he who seeks to dominate the Goddess can surrender to her. In other words, the one who chases desires can also submit to destiny. It was investing the way this guy relates to the real world of today.  He talks about how wealth create power, and power can become love that dominates and turns into affections or violence that can give away pleasure.  

(Photo Source) 

Week 13 Reading Diary: Hindu Calendar Art

Still reading the Hindu Calendar Art that comes from Devdutt Pattanaik's Seven Secret Hindu Calendar Art.  Today I focused on Part B, which is chapters three and four.  Chapter 3 goes overs Ardhanari's Secret where chapter four goes over Shiva's Secret Part 1 and 2.

I learned that Narayan's awakening is a moment of celebration.  It makes the creation of the world just as out world comes into being when we awaken and become aware of our world. Angels, Visualised as flying women, shower flowers.  From an academic point of view, it is interesting to keep in mind that the notion of flying heraldic angels came to India only after exposure to European culture in the sixtieth century.

(Re Awakening of Narayan)

Week 13 Reading Diary: Hindu Calendar Art

For this weeks reading diary I went with something a little different.  Instead of reading and trying to decode what the story was telling I went with listening to some videos.  I watched Seven Secrets from Hindu Calendar Art.  This video is split up into three parts.  I just watched the first two videos that are connected with part A.  Both of these videos came from Devdutt Pattanaik.

I am really glad that I decided to watch this video.  First off, it was nice to hear how some of these name are actually pronounced.  I have been reading these stories of these people all semester and have been just butchering their names.  The second good thing to starting this video is that I am able to get a better grasp on how everything and everyone ties together.  The man illustrating put the words in a certain way that it was easy for me to understand.  The more I understood of these stories, the more I liked them.  Also with a lot of the things he was saying I was able to tie into real life situations, which I liked doing.

(Photo Source) 

Be Positive: Learning my HEART

(Photo Source) 

Everyday I try and remember to be positive in everything I do.

I always try and encourage my friends to be positive because good things and kind people flow from positivity. 

So if you have a group text or you are siting with your room mates at breakfast remind them to be positive for the day! 

It just might make a Monday good for once :) 

Famous Last Words Week 12

This whole semester has been extremely busy for me.  I am in enrolled in 6 classes have two jobs plus I strive for a social life.  I have not been into my blogs as much as I should be.  My other classes have a lot to do with research. If you didn't know producing and creating a research proposal takes a lot of time.. and I mean A LOT.  Most of my time is spent digging deep into book at the library reading information on my research question for this semester.  So for the next two weeks I am going to strive to hit every assignment and have it turned in on time.  This will be a challenge for me since there is an assignment due everyday, but I am ready to give it my all! I have recently re planned my calendar and have left certain times to spend on this class.  So we will see how this goes.  Stay tuned for next weeks famous last words to see if I have succeed.

-Sarah Trapp 

Growth Mindset: Multiple Intelligences

For this week's Growth Mindset Challenge I watched a short video about Multiple Intelligences by Marek Bennett.  I have been introduced to the term multiple intelligence before, but I have never taken the time to actually write out all of the different types.  This video did exactly that and I was able to see that there are so many different ways an individual can learn.  I for one know that everyone has their own personal learning style that works best for them.  I am dyslexic and apart of being dyslexic is that you have to learn the best form of human expression and communication that works best for their brains.  This video serves as a great reminder that we should focus on expanding and learning how to approach all the different learning styles.

Multiple Intelligences by Marek Bennett

Week 12 Reading Diary: Inayat. Twenty Jataka Tales

Week 12 Reading Diary The Twenty Jataka Tales by Noor Inayat

(Photo Info) 

Reading Part A

The Monkey-Bridge
-"Sun-rays undisturbed" I like this description.  Of course a troop of monkeys were the ones eating the fruit off the tree, as they should be. I don;t like how the king just wanted to kill the monkey's.. why couldn't he just share? It was sad to see that the chief monkey's loved ones passed away, but awesome how the king felt for him and helped him.

The Guilty Dogs
-I really didn't like how the king wanted to kill all of the dogs. I love dogs and this upset me.

The Tortoise and the Geese
-This is a very common known story. I have run into it over and over again in different weeks.

The Fairy and the Hare
-What a cute little story about good friends and their adventure with a fairy.

The Golden Feathers
-This is another story I have read multiply times though out the semester.  I do really enjoy it because it teaches an important lesson. The mother should have not taken advantage of the golden feathers that were being handed to her.  We need to learn to appreciate and accept that we have enough.

The Young Parrot
-The parrots live in a silk cotton tree, I think that this is cool because I would have never put the two together.  I love a good story that ends happier ever after.

The Empty Lake
-I like how the fish had golden backs. This story reminded me of the story of Noah in the Bible.  God said he would never flood the earth again.  Just like the king was promised that the lake would never go empty again.

The Swans Kingdom
-How fun that there are different lakes with different colors.. very creative.  This story just keeps getting more and more creative.. drops of honey into the lake!

The Masters's Test
-Well right away I don't like the story because the king believes that because they deserve the money more than others then they can just take it.  That's what's wrong with the world theses days people think they are just in-titled to something or think they are above the law.  

Storytelling Week 11: No Belly Button Bert

Authors Note:  This week I based my story off of one of the Jataka tales from the book “The Giant Crab and Other Tales from old India” The story from the book I focused on is “Lacknose” this is about a gardener who had no nose.  There were three boys that came into his garden asking for flowers, but only one of them got one because of honesty.  My story follows along with a man who has no belly button and owns the most glorious pool in the town.  Everyone wanted to swim in this mans pool, but you will see that only some people will be able to swim in the pool.   These people were allowed and welcomed to swim in the pool because the man with no belly button felt that they were genuine people.  Read the story to see the different types of people that try to come swim, but the man doesn't allow in because not genuine enough. 

No Belly Button Bert 

(Representing Bert: Picture Source) 

There once was a pool boy named Bert who had no belly button.  Bert was an excellent pool cleaner.  He knew all the tricks to getting the pool to be in tip top shape.  He loved cleaning pools but he never took his shirt off due to not having a belly button so he always just got his shirt soaking wet while cleaning. Bert was embarrassed that he didn't have a belly button and couldn’t wait until he had his own pool. He spent many hours a day for many years to earn enough money to build his own pool.  While Bert’s pool was being built many of his neighbors saw how extravagant his pool would be.  They saw slides, a high and low diving board, and big red comfortable tanning chairs being moved into his backyard.

Bert didn't have many friends because they thought he was strange for not having a belly button.  Everyone in Bert’s neighborhood had pool parties, but he was never invited.  It didn't take long for his neighbors to start being friendly to him after they noticed how enormous of a pool he was going to have.  Bert became frustrated with this because he knew that it was only because he was going to have an extravagant pool.  Bert decided that he would have a pool party but is only going to invite those who don't care that he doesn't have a belly button.  Two weeks before his pool was finished he put a huge sign in his yard promoting his pool party, and that it is invite only.  Neighbor after neighbor would come up asking for an invite to the pool party.  Bert only awarded invites to those who approached him in the right way. 

His first neighbors that came up to him brought a doctor along with them.  They explained that the doctor was willing to look into getting him a belly button. But Bert thought to himself how ridiculous of them to think that someone will be able to give him a belly button, so he shooed them away with no invite.  His second neighbors came baring gifts.  Bert enjoyed all the yummy treats they brought except for these cookies that were made to look like humans in swimsuits that had no belly buttons! Bert thought to himself how foolish of these people to come and mock me, and sent them on their way with no invite.  The third neighbor that came to visit him didn't have any gifts but the truth.  The neighbor approached Bert and let him know how sorry he had been for treating him like an outcast, when in reality he was just like everyone else.  Bert appreciated the honest apology and invited the third neighbor to come and swim.  

Bibliography:  Rouse, W.H.D. “The Giant Crab and Other Tales from Old India.” Illustrated by W. Robinson.  Release Date: May 5, 2011. 

Week 11 Reading Diary: Jataka Continued

Week 11 reading Diary: The Giant Crab and Other Tales from Old India

Reading Part B:

Birds of a Feather
-I like the name of the horse: Chestnut.  I also like the other name Strongjaw. The names were the most interesting par of this story.

Spend a Pound to Win a Penny
-The monkey shouldn't have stolen the peas, but I think that the men throwing stones was to far.  I like how peas were the choice of food for the horses.  The monkey shouldn't have been so greedy about one pea he should have just let it fall and moved on with all the others peas he had.

The Cunning Crane and the Crab
-This is funny because sometimes in the summer the water can get extremely low in the lakes and ponds.  Of course the crane offers to help the fish stay in water, in his mouth!

Union is Strength
-The quails were never to get away from the fowler. Lets be real their feathers wouldn't be able to help them out as much as they would need to get out of the net.

Silence is Golden
-The poor cub wasn't able to roar as loud as he wanted, but it makes sense because he is only a baby.
 
The Quail and the Falcon
- Interesting that the falcon couldn't get the quail on his own grounds.  In fact when the falcon tried he ended up dies out of shock of not being able to reach him.

The Bold Beggar
-It was strange how if you liked the king you could see him eat his dinner without charge. Who would want to do that?! I like how no one else got a meal like that man., shows what courage could do for you.

The Lion and the Boar
-All of these stories deal with different types of animals that have to confront each other.  It is interesting to see which animals are being created to work together and who eats who.  Its funny to relate it to the real world.

The Goblin City
-A city of all she-goblins.. I bet that gets intense with some crazy arguments and fights.  I love how the she-goblins brought clothes and food to the sailers that had come upon their city.

Lacknose
-What a sad life to be a gardener that had no nose to smell all the wonderful flowers planted.  (No I understand the title better, and it's a pretty good pun!)

(Photo Source: From the book) 

The King's Lesson
-I like the kings name "Godfrey" It would be a good day to have no quarrels hanging around.

Week 11 Reading Diary: Jataka Stories

Week 11 Reading Diary The Giant Crab, and Other Tales from old India 

The Giant Crab
-At first I was like why wouldn't the elephants just crush the crab?! I mean they are big enough to easily take care of the problem.  I now see that they were waiting the crab to use his claws so that they knew where he was.  I also like how there is an wife and husband elephant, because in real life elephants love each other so much that they are willing to die for one another.

The Hypocritical Cat
-I liked how the cat said his name was Holy and that he was facing the sun because he was worshiping it. when really it was all a plan to eat the mice.  I like how they overcame the cat and lived in peace and happiness. I'm sure we all have cats to overcome that would lead us to peace and happiness

The Crocodile and the Monkey
-The monkey should have never trusted the crocodile.  But I like how he out smarted the crocodile and was able to eat the free food the earth had given him.  Mrs. Crocodile should just settle for something other than someones life to find food.

The Wise Parrot ant the Foolish Parrot
-The names of the parrots are so fun! Beaky and Tweaky! What a harsh punishment, to be plucked. This was a cute story with birds and I usually hate birds.

The Dishonest Friend
-Thats strange that a rat was able to eat a plough.  This has turned into a sad story where a boy has now been taken! Thankfully the plough and the boy were turned back safe.

The Mouse and the Farmer
-I like how the farmer and the mouse worked together, the mouse brought him something he gave him something in return. Gross! I can't believe the farmer wanted to eat the mouse.. That would be disgusting.

The Talkative Tortoise
-This sounds like the type of turtle for me! I talk way to much sometimes so we would get along nicely. That was harsh that the fish basically said they would rather die than keep hearing him talk, makes me sad for the turtle. Very sad ending that the turtle died, just because others didn't want to hear him talk.

The Monkey and the Gardener
-Interesting turn around because you always hear that monkeys are smart but these Monkeys weren't able to pull though and be wise.

The Goblin and the Sneeze
-I like how they mentioned that is how the goblin got their names

The Goblin in the Pool
-The goblins don't want anyone messing with there water, and this is why when the monkey who was told not to go down there went he disappeared.

The Foolish Farmer and the King
-A happy ending where a King shows a good nice side by giving the farmer tons of Oxen

The Pious Wolf
-Sad that the wolf was willing to eat a kid.  Good thing it was just the fairy and she was able to trick the wolf and then he didn't get anything.

Tech Tip: Weather Widget

This week is my first week to do a tech tip.  Personally I hate technology so these tech tips could be pretty fun to learn how to do more things over technology.  This week I added the weather widget.  At first it was complicated to figure out how to get the weather of Norman, Ok on there, but eventually I got it all worked out.

Growth Mindset: 50 Ways to Cultivate Creative Habit

This week I decided I needed to get my head in the game and start keeping up with my online classes. To get that started I am doing some extra credit to get me caught up.  I thought since this is a class that I have to be pretty creative in it would be beneficial for me to learn some creative habits.  This is why I chose to read "50 Ways to Cultivate Creative Habit" for my growth mindset.

I like to think as my self pretty creative, and this article hit some interesting points that I agree with.  First off it mentioned that creative people tend to see things that others miss, and I know this is true.  When being creative you are looking at something from all aspects and not putting any judgement towards something.

Something that I picked up from reading this blog post that will be helpful for this class would be that creativity is about connecting the dots.  I sometimes find it hard to complete stories, but If I just remember to keep the dots connected it will be easier to complete a lesson.

 

(Photo Source) 

Reading Diary Week 10: Jataka Tales

Reading Diary Week 10 Extra Credit: Jataka Tales by Ellen C. Babbitt

How The Monkey Saved His Troops
The Hawks and Their Friends
The Brave Little Bowman
The Foolhatdy Wolf
The stolen Plow
The Lion in Bad Company
The Wise  Goat and the Wolf
The Prince Wicked and the Grateful Animals
Beauty and the Brownie
The Elephant and the Dog