Greg's Growth Mindset

I have not heard of Carol Dweck or growth mindset before, but I am absolutely very intrigued right off the bat. Anything that promotes people to be better in their everyday lives, is awesome to see. In a world full fo such negativity, it is important to remain focus on the things that we can control in order to better ourselves. When we are trying to learn new things, putting in that extra effort stimulates the mind, even if we fail. This topic of a growth mindset is undeniably accurate in this world, as Dr. Dweck describes. I will definitely try to implement the growth mindset challenges in my everyday work from now on. The one I find most intriguing is writing in a new style. By using a new writing style, I feel you would almost feel like a new person, when in actuality you are simply exploring new functions of your brain that you hadn't come across before.

(It's OK to fail. Common Sense)

Time Strategies

In my opinion, time management is the most important issue for college students to address. As I’ve attended school, I’ve always struggled with it. Over the past few semesters it has been crucial for me to create a detailed schedule in order to maintain the goal of graduating by this fall. I think it is really cool that we are able to create our own time schedule that fits us best. This is especially awesome because I work and don’t get home until late at night sometimes. Who wants to do homework after having four classes and then a work shift? Not me. The only strategy that works really well for me is, I typically like to work ahead. This way I don’t procrastinate. Speaking of procrastinating, the article that stuck out most to me is How to Beat Procrastination by Caroline Webb. Obtaining the information from this article is very vital for me, as I am someone who has had terrible procrastination in the past.

(Definitely not the preferred method. Why We Procrastinate)

Reading Options

The Ramayana that I have decided to read for week 2 is the Public Domain Edition. The main reason I chose this version and not the Narayan version is because of all the many influences from various authors that went into it. While I am sure Narayan’s version is fantastic, I would like a little more variety in my readings.

The topic in this class that interests me the most is the overall creation of stories. I have never done anything like this before, and I’m always open to trying new things. In addition to trying new things, I have always been interested in learning new things. I have taken classes such as Religion in Everyday Life and African American Buffalo soldiers. Learning about things I never even knew existed, as well as learning about other cultures, has always interested me greatly. I am very grateful that I attend a University in which I am able to take such classes.

( This Image interests me because it makes me want to create a story for it. Image info)

Week 1: Storybook favorites

The Four Elements

The Four Elements is the first storybook that I decided to choose as one of my favorites. The main reason I chose this storybook is because of the interesting topic the author chose. I have always been of fan of things concerning the four elements of nature. I feel the introduction for this storybook did a very good job of explaining why they chose the four elements. Also, the picture in the introduction drew my attention in a good way. The layout of this storybook made it very easy to navigate, as it related back directly to the way it was explained in the introduction. The various stories about the different characters who were created by the individual elements was highlighted well, due to the design layout.

                                   (Nature Collection, Geninne, Website: Geninne's Art Blog)

Tales of Love

Tales of Love was a very intriguing storybook to me. Normally I am not one to care much for love stories, but the introduction to this storybook made me very interested in the topic. I loved how the introduction for this storybook laid out the different ways love is played out in the various situations. The design for the storybook with the topics of Separation, betrayal, and reunited, was a perfect fit in my opinion for the message that the author was trying to convey.

Indian Travels

As somebody who wishes to do a heavy bit of travelling around the world one day, it was easy for me to find the topic of this storybook interesting. I could feel the excitement the author had for their journey immediately as I started reading this storybook. This excitement even made me feel like I was going on the journey with them. Also, I feel relating the trip to created stories was another positive touch to the storybook that definitely made it more readable. This backstory for the storybook was the main reason I chose this as one of my favorites.

Introduction to Greg Silver

Hello, all. My name is Greg Silver. I am a senior and my major is Communication. I am a former accounting major. I decided to switch to Communication in the Spring 2016 semester as I was tired of the repetitive nature of accounting. With my communication major, I am able to examine a vast area of the social sciences that have always interested me.

But enough about school. First, I think it’s important to know my music tastes. Music is a big part in my life, as I play it in the background every chance I get. I am a huge fan of hip hop, but mostly just rap. The rap that interests me the most is the kind that tells a story or informs the audience of something they may not have known before. My favorite rapper of all time is Lupe Fiasco, but I must say that J. Cole is quickly catching up to him. (J. Cole went double platinum with no features). Lupe Fiasco and J. Cole not only rap intelligently, but also with such great emotion that you feel what they are feeling in most of their songs. I can listen to rappers like them all day long and never get tired of it.

The next biggest thing to know about me is my love for sports. I love OU football, but OU basketball more. I am one of a few people who can say this, and I’m proud of that. I have attended most of the OU basketball home games since I have been a student. Last year was one of the most fun years for me, as OU made the NCAA Final Four. (We’re not going to talk about what happened to them when they got there). It was especially cool because I was able to see the whole process that led up to that NCAA Final Four run. That is something that I will forever cherish.

Those are the main points about me and I hope to get to know you all!

                                                   (I'm on the left in the stupid hat. Link)

Week 1 Story: Jake's and Susie's Holiday Journey

It’s that time of the year again…the holidays. This is a joyous occasion for most, but for Jake and Susie, it’s met with great dangers. See, their festive and fun-filled holiday house is surrounded. Surrounded by what you ask? Their worst nightmares…almost too many to count.

Every year, the, young brother and older sister must make the hard choice of which direction they will take to get to their holiday home.

If they come from the south, they will face quicksand, a crazy hermit, and poisonous mushrooms. The north, vampire bats, a firing range, and toxic waste may doom them. The east, a Japanese soldier and evil spirits could end them. The west, snakes and a temple of doom could threaten them.

After much talking back and forth, the brother and sister decided to approach their holiday home from the south. Surely, they could avoid the quicksand, outrun the hermit, and not ingest the mushrooms.

As they were packing and preparing for the journey to their holiday home, Jake began to feel uneasy about all of it.  

“Is this even worth it?” He asked his sister Susie.

“Of course it is!” Susie rebutted. “Do you not want any of the presents left by Santa?”

“Ugh, I guess.” Jake replied.

As Jake and Susie approached the quicksand, it finally set in that this was, once again, real. Luckily for the brother and sister, they made their way around the large area of quicksand.

Next, the brother and sister passed through a massive field of mushrooms. Jake (without Susie knowing) picked up some of the mushrooms and put them in his pocket to save as a souvenir.

The two were over half way to their destination, then Jake sees something in the corner of his eye.

“Did you see that, Susie?” asked Jake.

Before Susie could respond, a crazy hermit ran from behind a tree, grabbed her shoulders, and began to shake her.

“Why are you here?! You will pay for this!” screamed the hermit.

Jake, remembering that he had poisonous mushrooms, ran to his sister’s defense. Jake forced the mushrooms into the face of the hermit. The hermit collapsed.

“Jake, you saved me!” screamed Susie.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” Jake replied. “Let’s just go open some presents.

(Holiday house. Picture information)

Jake and Susie opened the door to their holiday home. Inside sat their presents. Next to their presents were their parents, looking very nervous.

“Thank God you’re OK!” Their mother yelled. “That’s it, I’m sick of this Martian tradition. I don’t care how bad global warming has gotten on earth. We’re moving back there.”

Author's Note: While viewing Tom Gauld's cartoon, a ton of ideas came into my head. Obviously, all of the things surrounding the holiday house are dangerous. Knowing this, I was able to use my imagination and write a story I felt made sense with the cartoon.

Bibliography: "Map of the Area Surrounding our Holiday Home," a cartoon by Tom Gauld from his book ROBOTS, MONSTERS Etc. Web source.

The Lloyd Noble Center- My favorite place!

The Lloyd Noble Center: I grew up as a huge OU basketball fan, making the Lloyd Nobel center one of my favorite places on earth. As a student, I have been to most of the OU basketball home games at the Lloyd Noble Center where I have witnessed many thrill filled games.

(Crowd shot with fire, pre-game. OUHoops forum)