Past Semester Reflection

This semester really challenged me in ways I did not expect. This included in both reading and writing. 

I consider myself someone who has read a lot and is rather well-versed in different language styles. However, this class kind of proved me wrong. I was exposed to so many different cultures that I found myself having to adjust to many different types of writing and verses, etc. I thought it was really cool seeing how different cultures told stories and what they valued as important that made it into their stories. Personally, I think I did a good job being open minded to different and new cultures. 

In writing, I was definitely challenged to explore different writing styles. I think this was good for me since I hadn't really been challenged in that way before. I really liked how there was the storytelling randomizer that gave me different ideas on how to write the stories that we were assigned each week. There were so many styles that are creative that I had not thought of before. I think I did a good job using different styles that were a challenge for me rather than just playing it safe and changing a part of the story, etc. My storybook really challenged me since I tried to make the "Immortals Among Us" style with each one. A lot of time, I hadn't even read the stories yet, so it took brainstorming as to the best way to connect the style into the story. 

I bookmarked the web page that lists all of the different storytelling styles because I think it would be a great resource to utilize whenever I am writing. Especially in advertising, it is important to distinguish oneself with creativity so I think the page would really be helpful! 

Overall, I am really glad that I took this class. Laura was such a large knowledge base about the different cultures and how each story fits into each one. She obviously puts so much work into her class and her students, that it really inspired me to put work into the class as well. I think I did a good job taking advantage of all of her knowledge and all of the opportunity I had to read things that I wouldn't have otherwise had the chance to. The class also encourages so much thought that I feel like I really learned a lot about myself, my likes and dislikes, and beliefs through the readings and writings. 

Tech Tip: More on Horizontal Navigation

So, somehow I am still struggling with getting my new stories to show up on the horizontal navigation of my storybook. So, I decided that I would write another tech tip to both serve as a reminder for myself and help those who might be experiencing the same difficulties.

So, after I write my stories, they don't pop up in the navigation, even if I say I want them on their own page. I always try to go into settings under "manage site" and then I accidentally but the story as a sub-page on one of the other stories sites. So, do not click "manage site".

Rather, go to the settings menu, click edit site layout, then hold your cursor over the buttons for the other stories. The entire bar should highlight itself and a little message will pop up that says "edit horizontal navigation". Click anywhere in that highlighted bar, and another window will come up that has the name of all your pages. Click "add page" that's in blue at the bottom of the first box. Click this, and then click the name of the story that you want to add to the navigation bar. Once it is selected, click "okay" and then it should have it's own button in the navigation! 

I don't know why this is so difficult for me to remember, but I also have to re-remind myself every two weeks. I hope this helps anyone else that has also chosen to do a horizontal navigation bar! 

**House For Sale**

A small, cozy cottage deep in the countryside that is perfect for raising your children or enjoying your space from the bustling city. Located just close enough to the main city to be convenient, but far enough a way to feel the seclusion and tranquility that nature can provide. The spacious rooms and living area allow for the house to be full of many people. This would allow for the space to be rented out as extra income, or for you to have great gatherings of friends and family. The large windows in the front allow for a view of the rolling hills and mountains. Farmland is available to your family for either stables or farming.

(The Cabin) 

Property Details

-A four bedroom cottage. Large rooms that are perfect for multiple beds depending on your needs.

-a large outhouse located near the back of the house

-spacious living area and kitchen

-lamps for gas lights

-large lot perfect for stables or farming with a view of the mountains 

-many windows allow for plenty of light 

-about a half an hour from the main city

-closest neighbors about ten minutes on horseback

Features 

-lamps for gas lights throughout the home

-fencing to keep cattle or other animals contained

-many trees to provide shade and greenery to the lot

-acres of grass that is perfect for feeding or for families to enjoy

-large stables already built to accommodate animals of the family and travelers

-insulation to not let wind and other debris through cracks in the walls or window of the cottage

-sturdy roofing to protect against rain and other weather conditions

-built in fire stove to allow for heating and cooking in the house

Disclaimer

This cottage is located where Death tends to appear. Should Death appear in the night, everyone in the cottage shall perish. However, several years ago, a Cossack was visiting. When Death appeared and reached through the window, the Cossack cut off her arm. All of the villagers set out the next morning to find death and see her demise. Once they came to the Ponomar's cottage down the road, the daughter was laying on the stove, missing an arm. Therefore, it could be said that Death has appeared at this current cottage. That next morning, the Death witch was drowned so we can assure that occupants will remain safe and out of danger. 

Author's note: 

I am writing this story based off of The Witch Girl from the Russian Folktales unit. In the story, a Cossack comes to a cottage and asks if there is a place for him to stay. The owner replies, "Come in, if you don't fear Death", which really confuses the Cossack. When he walks inside, there are families in there crying and praying. They are expecting Death to come that night. Should Death visit the cottage, everyone would die. So, they all go to bed except the Cossack, who stays up all night to keep watch. Once Death appears and reaches in through the window, he cuts off her arm. The next morning, the Cossack tells everyone what he has done and they go out in search of Death. They find a girl at the Ponomar's cottage, laying on the stove missing an arm. When the Cossack explains to the man what has happened and shows him the arm, the man demands for his daughter to be drowned. 

I didn't really feel like writing more on this topic, so I decided to write a real estate listing for the cottage. I thought it would be a more fun and creative topic. Since real-estate agents have to disclose events like death that have happened in a house, the story ties in to the Disclaimer at the end. I didn't really change anything of the story, more just put it in a different format. 

Bibliography:

The Witch Girl from Russian Fairy Tales by W.R.S. Ralston (1887). 

Famous Last Words

Since its near the end of the semester, I decided to do a quick Famous Last Words blog to reflect on my week and kind of the semester as a whole. I can't believe that at the end of this week, it will be May and the year will be basically over! It always flies by and I feel like next year will be even worse. 

So, this week I actually got my reading done early! Which was a first for me. Since some of my classes were cancelled due to presentations and others were cancelled for the storms, I had more time on my hands than usual. It feels good to know that I am on track to finish the week on time, especially this close to the end of the semester. I have not done my storytelling yet, but I plan to later this afternoon or tomorrow. 

My other classes are really picking up since it is the end of the semester. I am in one class, advertising media, that demands so much time! My group consistently works on the project, which is great, but we still have so much to do. I can't even think about it or I start getting stressed out. Luckily, the class is really interesting to me and is for my major. It helps the time spent feel worthwhile. 

On top of that, I had another project due on Monday that we have to present on Thursday. Its a group project so finding time to get the entire group together to practice is nearly impossible. We always meet up around 9pm which means were on campus so late! I am ready for that project to be over.

Then, in my Public Speaking class, we have our final speeches this week and next. My speech was supposed to be today but I was not ready. Thank goodness my teacher allows flexibility and I was able to move it to next Thursday. That way, I will have more time to be adequately prepared. I just couldn't get it together this week since I was in Houston all weekend for a wedding.

Regardless of all the stress I feel and that I am a little behind in school now, I really enjoyed the wedding. I went with my boyfriend's family, so I got to know them more. The actual wedding was beautiful and it was obvious that they had spent a lot of money to hold the best event that they could. It was also super interesting because the bride married a guy from France. She had been working in London and met him on the train. His father and grandparents did not speak English, so parts of the wedding and the toasts were in French while the other parts were in English. Also, a ton of his friends came so there were a lot of people there who were from Europe. It was so interesting talking to them and I loved hearing about all of their experiences. All of the countries are so close together in Europe, that it seems like they had been everywhere! 

Personal picture of the wedding reception

Overall, it was a wonderful weekend and a much needed break from all of the assignments that are due at school! 

Reading Diary Week 14, continued: Russian Folktales

The Witch Girl really confused me! Was it the daughter that lived in the cottage? I got confused when she was ill and her arm was cut off after the Cossack cut off the witch's arm. Or was death punishing the daughter? 
I thought it was very brave of the Cossack to cut off the arm of Death. I'm curious if the Russians believe you can defeat and avoid death, since that happened in the story? This is something I would like to research. 

The Russian Princess was also a really weird story! The fact that the Princess could take off her head was really strange. I couldn't tell if the story meant her actual head or like a headpiece. From how it sounded, it sounds like it was her whole head. Then, she was so mad at the priest's son for seeing her and telling everyone what he saw- I guess it was supposed to be a secret? 

The Cossack

I think its interesting how in each story, the family is so quick to betray one of their own. In The Russian Princess, the King decided to drive a stake into her heart so that she would die and stop torturing the priests' son. In The Witch Girl, the father rewarded the Cossack for drowning the witch, which evidently was his daughter. I feel like in English and American stories, the families always protect their own. I would like to research family dynamics in Russia to see if these stories are incorporating an accurate portrayal of how families relate to each other. 

The Two Friends made me very sad! SinceI would be the bride, I know I would be very disappointed if my fiancee disappeared into a grave with his old, dead friend and did not make it to my wedding. Why did the friend ask the man to drink with him? Did he not know that a hundred years would pass with each drink? What if I suddenly walked out of my house or something and three hundred years had passed? 

This story reminded me of my storytelling since a supernatural being defies the laws of death and has the power to communicate with those still living. This is basically what happens in my storytelling. The only difference is that the spirits that I write about are often helpful to those still living. Maybe for my last story, I could write about one that makes life more complicated for those living? I had never thought about doing this; it is something to consider.

Note for storytelling: 
Moujik= Russian peasant 
Cossack= member of the Southern part of Russia. They are known for their horsemanship and military skills. 

Bibliography: Russian Fairy Tales: A Choice Collection of Muscovite Folklore by W.R.S. Ralston (1887). 

Reading Diary, Week 14: Russian Folktales

This week, I read the Russian Folktales unit. I thought it was very interesting because it dealt with spirits and other supernatural figures. I think I got some good ideas from this unit since my storybook follows the theme of "immortals among us" where characters that have either passed or who have the power of time travel, etc. communicate with other characters in the story. 

At first, I thought The Dead Mother was sweet because the mother was still taking care of her baby, even though she had passed away. I thought it was a good way to illustrate the strong love between a mother and child. However, towards the end it got kind of eerie. It sounded really freaky when the other characters are sleeping in the room and they see the dead mother come in. Also, it got super weird when the baby was dead at the end. It made me kind of sad honestly.

The Treasure was very intriguing to me because I am wondering what values the Russians had that caused this story to be written. I am curious what the motivation of the author was. Maybe to talk about how God punishes the greediness of others? I felt bad for the old man that the people were not interested in helping him until he had money. Basically, it painted the Russians as very greedy and selfish people to me. Also, the pope was so corrupt! He is supposed to be the spiritual leader, but he definitely did not seem to be living according to the Bible. One thing I would like to look up is the values that the Russian people have because it may give some insight to the stories. Also, I am curious what beliefs the Russians typically have. If it is Christianity or Catholicism, then the Pope does not uphold the values that the Bible teaches. However, if it is a different belief system, then maybe he does. 

(The pot of gold that the old man found)

Friday was pretty confusing to me since I did not understand the importance of Mother Friday. I tried to look it up but didn't really find anything online. The story reminded me though of how the Sabbath is to be kept holy and a day of rest in Christian faith. I'm wondering if Friday is seen as a day of rest out of respect for the saints? I wish there was more information on this online! I am very intrigued by why a woman would get punished for spinning flax on Friday.

The Leshy was a very dark story! Basically it seems like the demon kidnapped the girl and held her hostage for 3 years. During that time, she seemed to have forgotten her life with her family. It reminded me of the hostage stories you hear of happening during real life where the person starts thinking that their captive life is normal and I guess the trauma causes them to totally suppress memories of their life before. It really seemed eerie to me and I'm once again curious why the Russians created a folktale about this. Was it supposed to be a warning to girls to not walk alone in the forest? This aspect also reminded me of The Little Red Riding Hood. 

Overall, I have so far really enjoyed the Russian Folktales. I feel a little weird about how much I liked reading them since a lot of them were about death or other dark topics. It was a nice change of pace though from some of the stories of the past. Also, they were very easy to understand which allowed me to focus on reading the stories rather than figuring out the language, etc. I am excited to read the second half later today! 

Bibliography: Russian Fairy Tales: A Collection of Muscovite Folklore by W.R.S. Ralston  (1887). 

Reading Diary, Week 13

I really enjoyed reading this week's unit! I chose to read the Fables of La Fontaine this week for my stories. My favorite part of the reading was how light the stories sounded. I think this was because each sentence was so short that it gave it kind of a jumpy, jovial feeling. In my writing, I would like to try and copy this sentence structure. I have not ever changed the structure of my sentences, so this would be a good exercise for me. 

I also really liked how each of the the stanzas rhymed. I think it makes the writing more interesting and more exciting to read. I've said this before, but I want to try and rhyme in my storytelling. I think its a really cool challenge and something that would be really fun.

(The Tortoise and the Hare)

The third thing I liked about the unit was all of the animal stories. I love animals so I tend to gravitate towards stories about them.

My favorite stories from the first part of the unit are the stories by Larned. I was first intrigued by the titles: "Foolish Animals" and "More Foolish Animals". Then, I really liked the content since the stories were very light hearted. I think reading should be a sweet distraction from life and these stories struck me as this way.