Learning Challenges

The topics that are of most interest to me is happiness and time. Time is important to me because I know that time can be limited and you never know when it will be up. It is important to use your time wisely not just in school to turn assignments in on time but just to to what you love and make sure people know you love them. Happiness is also important to me because I worry sometimes about whether or not I am taking advantage of creating my own happiness. I do not want to be on my death bed regretting things I did not do and all the joy and fun I may have missed because I did not take advantage of my own happiness. I strive everyday to remember how precious time, happiness and love is and how not to waste any of it.

Happiness Meme found on Pinterest

Growth Mindset

Growth mindset it not a new concept for me. One of my major professors, Dr. Bisel, is an advocate of growth mindset. Every course I have taken with him he has made sure to include growth mindset in his lectures. While the concept is not new to me, this is the first I have heard of Carol Dweck's work. I believe I have a growth mindset. Although I can not say I haven't used fixed mindset as an excuse before in things I do not care to learn such as math. Otherwise, I believe everyone's knowledge can grow and we are given infinite possibilities in life. My biggest struggle with furthering my knowledge is my motivation to do so. If it is a subject I am passionate about I will strive to learn as much as possible. If it is something I am not so excited about I have a tendency to shut off my brain and just do the minimum. College has taught me that even subjects I am not as excited about can be extremely important for my future. I must give them as much time and attention as I do any other subject. I am dealing with this struggle in my last semester of college still. I have a class about international communication that I am less than enthused about because I do not plan on doing international work after graduation so it does not seem relevant. But, I know this class may still be helpful so I have to remind myself to work hard and grow in that class even though it is not my favorite topic.

Quote from Carol Dweck's Mindset. Image made with Cheezburger.com.

Storybook Favorites

The first post that stood out to me was Kindergarten Shenanigans. This title caught my eye because small kids are almost always hilarious so it looked like it would be a good storybook to explore. It sounds like a collection of children getting into funny messes. After reading the introduction it seemed more serious than I originally thought but I still like the concept. Teaching kids lessons through stories is an ancient practice and using kids their own age is a neat idea. The design was cute I love how they kept the classroom feel with their layout that looked like notebook paper.
The second post that stood out to me was Stepmothers' Prison. I do not have a stepmother but historically and from my friend's experiences I know stepparents can be a struggle. This title drew me in because it seemed ironic because typically it is the children who are "in prison". After reading the introduction I was so excited to read the rest of the stories. The introduction left you wanting more and built up so much suspense it was extremely well written. The design matched the story it was dark and mysterious which I am sure that is what the author was searching for. It was a bit plain but I think that fits with the idea of a prison cell.
The final post that caught my eye was Cupid on Trial. This seemed like a strange name and I was not really sure what to expect but it was intriguing enough it made me click on it. After reading the introduction I have a better understanding of the trial and I like how he made the connection to all the court shows that are on TV nowadays. That was a really creative idea. The design also fit the background on Valentine's Day with the pinkish background. Although it did a fade into a night sky which was pretty but not as "lovey-dovey" as I would have expected.

Poseidon (The judge in the story) Wikipedia

UnTextbook Overview

For week two I will probably read Apuleius's Cupid and Psyche. I enjoy all love stories from books to movies to just following a twitter page called How we Met. I feel this will be the most enjoyable unit in this section. My next choice would probably be one of the section revolving around women, because power to the females.
One unit that looks really interesting is Eskimo Folk Tales. This unit calls to me because in Public Speaking I did a speech about the ancient tattoo practices of the Inuit tribes so I feel this would be a great extension of my knowledge.
Another one that looks great is the Robin Hood unit. Everyone heard of Robin Hood as a child so it will be neat to read more on his history and stories. This unit is also written in ballads which is different and exciting.
A final unit that called out to me is that of Women Saints. I grew up religious (Catholic to be exact) so saints were a big part of my childhood. I always love reading about their histories especially the women.

Cupid and Psyche, Roman Sarcophagus

Introduction: ODD (Obsessive Dog Disorder)

Hello everyone! My name is Allyson but I usually go by Ally among my family and friends. I come from Ponca City, Oklahoma and I have two younger brothers 17 and 14. I have a boyfriend of almost three years, his name is Camron. We have two cattle dogs together on red full blood and one blue mix. I would describe myself as slightly obsessed with these dogs, I answer yes on all those Buzzfeed quizzes that show if you are overly attached to your animal. They live with Camron in Ponca City and I always love getting to go home and see them.
My major is Communication with a minor in Human Relations. I hope to find work doing something along the lines of event planning or sales, I love working with and around people. My dream job would be to plan concerts for a big event center such as the BOK in Tulsa or the Chesapeake Arena in OKC. I love music and working with all the artists that come through would be a dream come true.
Along with my love of music I am obsessed with watching movies. You can almost always catch me at the Redbox. I try to watch as many as I can because I love being able to share my opinions on them with others and see how they do at the award shows. I will watch pretty much any genre of movie, but my least favorite are foreign and Sci-Fi. For these genres it must start out really good to hold my attention for the whole film. Some of my favorite movies are the Notebook, the Bounty Hunter, Grease, and the Paranormal Activity series.
I also love sports. I was a cheerleader and soccer player back in my prime and now I enjoy watching my brothers carry on the athletic legacy in football, basketball and soccer. Football is probably my favorite sport to watch, I keep up with college football and watch as much NFL as I can but do not keep up with the rankings really until playoffs. I have never been to an NFL game but I hope that can be checked off my bucket list in the new future.
My hobbies include fishing and shooting bows with my boyfriend along with refinishing furniture and making wall decor. I love to take old items and create them into new pieces whether they be functional or just for looks. Camron swears if I bring anymore "junk" to the house we are going to be called onto the show Hoarders. This doesn't keep me from attending all the craft shows and going into all the thrift/antique shops I can find. I have an array of projects to be completed over spring break so I will be sure and update you guys with some pictures!
Thank you for taking the time to read about my life! I hope you enjoyed it!




P.S. Here are some pictures of my dogs that you may or may not find adorable. The red is Axle (2) and the blue is Bandit (1). All of these are personal photos take from May 2014 to January 2016.

Week One Storytelling: The Lost Shoe

The Lost Shoe

There once was a fiddler and his wife who lived in a small house upon a hill. They had been married many years and did not get out to socialize very frequently. One day the wife decided they needed a night on the town to liven up their marriage and their boring routine life. She called up her friends and a dance was organized! She got all fancied up in a beautiful black ball gown and gorgeous pink high heels. He put on his best suit and tie and grabbed his newest fiddle so he could play at the dance. Once they were ready, they got in the carriage to head to the dance. 

The road to town had just suffered weeks of intense rain. The dirt roads were quickly giving way under the heavy wheels of the carriage making for a bumpy ride. As the wife was thrown around the back of the carriage the strap on the heel of her show slid down her foot causing it to fly off and out the carriage. She screamed for her husband to stop and go back but he could not hear her over the noise of the horses and the carriage slamming and shaking on the bumpy road. 

Upon their arrived she was very distraught at the loss of her shoes but her loving husband assured her she could still dance with just one shoe, her dress was long enough no one would even notice. They entered the dance, greeted by many of their old friends. He went off to play his fiddle with the other gentlemen and she went to off to have some drinks and chat with the ladies. The husband soon realized he could not find his fiddle stick. He search high and low, all over that ball room until finally he thought to check the carriage. He looked all over the carriage eventually finding its hiding spot under the carriage seat. He quickly returned to the dance so he could show his skill on this fine instrument. 

By the end of the night his arms were tired from playing his fiddle and his wife was a bit funny, like when a person has one too many drinks. So he gently loads her into the carriage and she sleeps the whole bumpy way home. Once he carries her in and is tucking her in for bed, she asks him where her shoe is. He replies well one fell out of the carriage and you were wearing the other. He then looks around noticing there was no second shoe in the room. It is then they realize she must have removed the shoe at the party, therefore losing both of the beautiful pink high heels that night. As sad as she was, she was happy to have spent a wonderful night with her loving husband and he was happy to have gotten to play his fiddle. 

Pink High Heel

Author's Note: In the original nursery rhyme there is a dame who loses her shoe and wants to dance and a fiddler who loses his fiddling stick. The fiddler ends up finding his stick so the dame can dance but she never finds her shoe. When reading this story is made me think of an old time ball gown and horse drawn carriage era so that became my setting for the story. Also women losing shoes seems to happen when they are under the influence of alcohol so that became my next inspiration for the plot of the story. 

Bibliography: This rhyme is from the book The Nursery Rhyme Book edited by Andrew Lang (1987) on page 192.

Favorite Place: Kaw Lake

Kaw Dam releasing water taken by the Corp of  Engineers

Sunset on Kaw Lake, Personal Photo taken Summer 2013

Typically any calm, warm place is where you can find me. I enjoy peaceful atmospheres with the sound of water and nature around me. Here in my landlocked state, the closest I can get to an ocean view is the lake. Kaw lake is just outside my hometown of Ponca City, I live about five miles down the road. My father owns a boat repair shop and a marina on the lake. It is where I grew up and all of my great memories of home come from this spot.