I think that learning by H.E.A.R.T. could be one of the most important lessons someone could learn. I have struggled with each of these areas with my time here at OU, but I have also learned how important each of these are areas can be. Each of these areas have great importance, but I believe that learning about time has help me most with my success at OU. I have always had a full semester of classes while also having a job, and recently I have had to manage two jobs. I work as a swim instructor for OU and have had to plan my own lessons while also planning out when to study for each of my classes. In my opinion to manage time takes years of practice to grasp the concept, and without time management skills our lives could always feel rushed, or we could end up missing important dates for different events. I like to think that time reflects most on all of the other areas of H.E.A.R.T. when we can't learn how to manage time that could easily cut into our sleeping habits (health), our happiness, it has the ability to decrease our reading time or attention span because of tiredness. So, the advise I have for someone coming into college is to not put to much on their plate that can't be managed with time, and to remember that all aspects of H.E.A.R.T. are important for your growth in life.
This is the first I have heard and learned of Carol Dweck and the growth mindset. The videos were interesting because I actually find this topic to be something that I'm passionate about. School and academics do not come easy for myself, and they never have. I have been diagnosed with dyslexia since I was in the first grade. My kindergarten teacher recently expressed to me that even at that age she could tell that I was "at risk" for dyslexia, this is surprising because you technically can't be fully diagnosed until your second grade year. My point is that I have struggled with this part of my life for my entire academic career. I know what it's like to fail an exit level test, and I understand the feeling of nothing and going no where that Professor Dweck discusses. I have pretty much been forced to have a growth mindset, or I wouldn't be where I am today. I have had to strive harder than most students, and have had to redo and try and try again just to reach the goal I aim for. If I had an fixed mindset I would't have the aspiration to try over and over again to achieve my goals. Since being at OU I have learned (and still learning) one of the hardest lessons I think I will ever have, and that is to keep going, to never give up (even though you want so bad) until I have reached the goals I want. I also have learned to be proud of a B or even a C in a class that I know is extremely hard for myself, to be proud of all the steps I have taken, because that only motivates me to keep moving forward. I love the idea of the "not yet" grade, I believe that it shows students that trying again isn't a horrible thing and that you shouldn't judge or define yourself on your first try. I also believe that if I would have learned that lesson at a younger age I would be more confident in my academics, once you fail a test you can become fearful and unconfident in your ability to test, and I think that the "not yet" grade shows students that it's okay to fail as long as you try again. I am extremely interested in learning about the growth mindset this semester, as I believe that it will help encourage me to finish strong with my college career.
The first story I read was "Love Though the Eyes of Nature" The word nature is what caught my attention. I really enjoy the outdoors and knew if it had something to do with nature I would enjoy it. I have always been someone who wonders about everything, I can think of million questions in a matter of seconds. So I really enjoyed how the beginning of this introduction started with a bundle of questions wondering how nature sees us. It's an interesting way to look at life. The best part of this story is that love incorporated with nature, with the "Gossip Squirrel".
The next story I looked at and really enjoyed was "Karma and Karma". I have always been a firm believer in what comes goes around, comes around, but this story put a new twist I have never thought of before. I love how this story focused on how everyone's destiny comes from their own previous actions. This story was an interesting way for me to think about how people create their love life, and that maybe someone is behind it all with the right ingredients.
The last story I read was "A Counselor's Wisdom From RHS" I throughly enjoyed this story because one day I hope to be a counselor helping people. I enjoyed reading how the counselor helped these students by just sitting down and listening to them. I also enjoyed the fact that the counselor took what he had learned from his background life and how he is applying it to the students.
I feel that I have a better understanding of what my storybook for Indian Epics should look like. I now see that there are a plethora of stories to chose from to create my own.
I have decided on option two for week 2's readings. Both of these options are new to me and I'm going to be honest I decided on Ramayana because it's free online. I also really like the fact that there is an audio version, I will most defiantly be taking advantage of that. I also really enjoy illustrations, overall I felt like Ramayana is the best choice for me and my learning style.
I have never taken a class about epic literature, I have taken a british literature class in high school, but I don't think those have much in common with each other. I also have never watched Game of Thrones (or even know much about it) so I'm not sure how those are related either. When I first think of the word mythology I think of all the different Greek Gods there are to learn about, but as I browse through this class I am learning that there is a lot more than just the Greek Gods. I have been introduced to indian music, as I took a class over it once. I do really enjoy all of the different kinds of instruments that create unique sounds. Growing up I was in band and have developed a love for musical instruments and music.
Looking though the pictures I didn't notice anything familiar. The images I added seemed the most interesting with an exciting back ground story to tell.
A depiction of Vishnu's incarnation as Matsya, the fish,
Howdy Y'all, I'm Sarah Trapp!
-I say "howdy" and "y'all" because I'm a proud Texan, I'm from a small town named Paris, Tx, I love to tell people I'm from Paris without saying Texas, because without a doubt every time someone will think Paris, France, and that makes me giggle inside because if you listen to my accent I'm clearly from Texas. If you ever find yourself driving though Paris, you have to make sure you stop and take a photo with our one-of-a-kind Eiffel Tower, it is pretty awesome because it has a huge bright red cowboy hat at the top of it!
-Even though I'm from Texas, I have been a sooner fan my whole life (BOOMER) even as a second grader I named my dog Okie. I actually have two dogs, one Okie and the other Tex, you see my household at the time was split, my mom and I were Oklahoma fan and my brother and father were Texas fans, so we couldn't just settle with one dog. Like I said I got my dogs when I was in the second grade and they are still alive today! They are the oldest golden retrievers I have ever seen at almost 15 years old, and they are my heart and soul.
(Personal photo- Tex/Okie Christmas 2014)
-Tex is on the left and Okie is on the right. Tex has had allergies his whole life so he isn't the prettiest Golden, but we still love him anyway!
(Personal photo, Okie, March 2015)
-Okie is more of my dog, as Tex is more of my brothers dog.
-I am living my dream attending the University of Oklahoma, and I will be graduating this May with a degree in Sociology. (WHOO!) I recently just switched from early childhood education to sociology, and as much as I love the education system I love sociology more! I find myself to be an observant person, and sociology is an area of study that relates to everyday life. I love the fact that whatever daily activities I have, whether it be the going to the movies or school, I can relate sociological concepts that I have learned. After I graduate I will be working towards getting into a masters program for social work. Durning grad school I hope to learn how to help and approach children and families in difficult times. I plan on receiving my LPC (Licensed Professional Councilor) so that I can make a difference in someones life by helping them.
(Personal photo, of me and my roommate receiving our OU class rings! I am on the left and Stevie on the right)
-Some fun facts about myself:
1. I love to watch movies, any kind of movie really it doesn't matter, because there's nothing better than cuddling up in blankets with a big bowl of popcorn!
2. I also love to travel, I have been privileged to have traveled to some pretty cool places in my life, but the coolest place I will travel to, will be this summer when I spend a month in Ireland for study abroad! 3. I love to take photos and edit them! It is probably my favorite hobby to do, and in my future I might even start some sort of small side business for it. I even have a name for it already "Trapped in the Moment", get it because my last name is Trapp. (perfect, right?)
4. My favorite food is most definitely spaghetti, I would even eat it on a first date! My least favorite food is anything that has cream cheese in it, I know, it's unbelievable and crazy, but there is just something about cream cheese and my taste buds that don't get along.
5. I'll end today with my favorite color, which is yellow! If it can be made/bought in yellow that's the one I want! I could easily be spotted walking around campus since my backpack, computer, phone case, and headphones are all yellow! It's just such a bright and fun color, I love it!
It
was in the wee hours of the morning that I saw three ships come sail by.I was on my way home from celebrating the
fact that a New Year had started when I saw them.I had been pondering what this New Year would
bring my surroundings, and me so when I saw the three ships I wondered if this
was what the New Year was transporting to me, I immediately became interested
with the ships and waited for them to come ashore.
This
New Year’s Day was cold with winds as strong as Chicago’s.So as I patiently waited there, hoping that
maybe one of these ships had sunshine and warmth.But that couldn't possible be everything that
lay upon these ships, what more could there be?
Could
there be happiness with dancing? Or rain and sadness, oh I hope not! The ships
got closer and closer, if I squint my eyes I could maybe make something out of
them.I squinted as tight as I could to
try and make something out, but still couldn't figure it out.
The
morning was coming to an end and I had missed breakfast, therefore I was hungry
for lunch, I have never heard my stomach growl so loudly.I then wished for food to be on one of the ships.A ship full of fruit would be so tasty, or
even better a ship full of sweats to take care of my sweat tooth for the
year.
The
closer and closer the ships got the bigger they appeared to be.What if there are giant animals to be brought
for the New Year. Animals like elephants that we could ride to get from place
to place.
“And what do you think was in them then,
Was in them then, was in them then?
And what do you think was in them then,
On New Year's Day in the
morning?”
My
excitement was overflown as the ships started to reach land.I just couldn't wait to see what would come
off, to start the New Year with.The
ships landed one right after another.The first ship had mounds of wood and paint on it, the second had any
type of tool you might use for all that wood and paint.The third ship had one man on it; I asked him
what is it you are going to do with all this wood and paint? And he told me
that he is going to start fresh and use the tools to create a new life, and
then he asked me to join him. Of course I said yes, as New Year equals new
beginnings.
Author’s
Note. This story strays away from the original nursery rhyme “Three pretty
girls were in them then”.The original
rhyme ends with three women on the ships that each contains different talents,
whistling, singing, and playing the violin.I decided to look more at the fact that the rhyme talked about a New
Year, and I wanted to incorporate that a New Year can bring new possibilities.I also wanted to point out that your options
are endless when wanting a fresh start, the person in the story never stopped
imaging what could be on those ships, and I believe that showed hope for a new
beginning.
Bibliography.This story is based on the nursery rhyme
“Three pretty girls ere in them then” on The Nursery Rhyme Book edited by
Andrew Lang
I have two favorite places in this world. One I have a personal connection to, and the other is where I feel the happiest at.
My first favorite place is the beach. It really doesn't matter to me which beach it is or where it's located. One of my favorite hobbies is swimming and being outside feeling the sun on my skin, and the beach always provides that warm and happy feeling inside. Of corse my favorite type of beach has clear blue water, and white sands to enjoy catching seashells, and building sandcastles, but as long as I have my butt in the sand and the sun on my skin, I'm in my one of my favorite places.
Pictures of the beach. Source: Google
My second favorite place is the church camp I attended growing up as a child. This camp is located in Bridgeport, Texas, off the lake of Bridgeport. I went to this camp for a total of 10 years, my first year was in the summer after third grade, and my last year was in the summer after I graduated high school. This camp will always have a special place in my heart, because it saved my life. I believe that this camp was God sent to me because during my third grade year my father passed away, and that year just happen to be the first year I was old enough to attend camp. The people and experiences helped heal me from my lost over the years, and every time I get a glimpse of the old wooden cross at the top of a hill, with the lake in the background brings me peace, and reminds me that God is forever with me.
Personal photo of the Bridgeport Cross. Photo from July 2012.
