2016/01/31
2016/01/29
My storybook topics brainstorm
1. Possible topic : Gods and Goddess in Greeks.
I read Homer's Iliad by Alfred J. Church and what I found interesting was that there are a lot of gods appeared in the story although the story was mainly focused on the humans and the war. Gods and goddess were playing huge roles, not like the Bible, Greek gods directly show their appearance, like humans, and affected the world directly by killing people or saving people. I was really interested in how there are so many gods in Greek myth. Not only there are twelve major gods and goddess in Olympus which I have found in my research but also there are minor gods whose names were not really familiar with me. This would be a wonderful topic because these gods and goddess are pretty much humans. They have feelings such as love, hate, and sadness, they have genders, gods and goddess, and their actions are just like human's, so I think there are interesting facts and interesting story could be adjusted and retold by me.
Web source: Greek Mythology
2. Possible topic : monsters and mysterious creatures in Greek Mythology
The another interesting thing about myths are something that are not natural or does not exist in real life. Monsters would be great examples. For example, a Hydra, a monster with nine heads, that was killed by Hercules, is something that does not exist in nowadays in anywhere in the world. I would like to learn more about these monsters that were defeated by the heroes and mysterious creatures that helped heroes. I would like to know more about the appearance of Greek's monsters and their unique characteristics and the importance of them to the protagonists. The history or the background of these monsters would be the one thing that I would like to learn as well. Some monsters could had been born from their monster parents, or they could have been created somehow by gods. Any creatures besides human, and gods, would be researched for their physical characteristics and their background story.
3. Possible topic : Greek myth's Heroines.
Achilles, Odysseys, Hector, and etc. These are the heroes that I am familiar with. I have heard their name before although I do not know much stories about them. However, in Greek myths, there are a lot of female characters. There are gods but also goddess and I think this is very interesting to write or talk about. I would like to research about heroines in Greek mythology and would also like to write their stories. Many fairy tales and myths are focused on male characters, but there are a lot of female characters in Greek myths to talk about. The most interesting thing about heroines in Greek mythology is that they are not just sidekicks or extra characters that just walk by the heroes in the background scene, but rather are very powerful like male heroes do and some of them are protagonists of the story. A great example would be Atalanta.
4. Possible topic : unknown heroes.
There are a lot of heroes in Greek mythology. This is very personal point of view, but some of the heroes are famous and some of them are not. For example, everyone know who Hercules is. I knew who Hercules was even before reading about Greek myth story. Achilles is also a great example of hero that is well-known. I did not know his story but his name is so famous that one of our body part is named after him. However, I have not heard of Hector before the reading. Many people might know him but he is not the one who was familiar with me. I would like to know, possibly all of them, and talk about some of the heroes whose name might not be heard by people like me. I am interested in what they did and how are they related to some of the famous heroes. This topic is quite personal because some of the heroes might not be heard by me but to most of people. I would still focus on minor heroes in this topic but this would be very specific and heavily based on my opinion. However, I am really interested in this topic.
I read Homer's Iliad by Alfred J. Church and what I found interesting was that there are a lot of gods appeared in the story although the story was mainly focused on the humans and the war. Gods and goddess were playing huge roles, not like the Bible, Greek gods directly show their appearance, like humans, and affected the world directly by killing people or saving people. I was really interested in how there are so many gods in Greek myth. Not only there are twelve major gods and goddess in Olympus which I have found in my research but also there are minor gods whose names were not really familiar with me. This would be a wonderful topic because these gods and goddess are pretty much humans. They have feelings such as love, hate, and sadness, they have genders, gods and goddess, and their actions are just like human's, so I think there are interesting facts and interesting story could be adjusted and retold by me.
Web source: Greek Mythology
2. Possible topic : monsters and mysterious creatures in Greek Mythology
The another interesting thing about myths are something that are not natural or does not exist in real life. Monsters would be great examples. For example, a Hydra, a monster with nine heads, that was killed by Hercules, is something that does not exist in nowadays in anywhere in the world. I would like to learn more about these monsters that were defeated by the heroes and mysterious creatures that helped heroes. I would like to know more about the appearance of Greek's monsters and their unique characteristics and the importance of them to the protagonists. The history or the background of these monsters would be the one thing that I would like to learn as well. Some monsters could had been born from their monster parents, or they could have been created somehow by gods. Any creatures besides human, and gods, would be researched for their physical characteristics and their background story.
3. Possible topic : Greek myth's Heroines.
Achilles, Odysseys, Hector, and etc. These are the heroes that I am familiar with. I have heard their name before although I do not know much stories about them. However, in Greek myths, there are a lot of female characters. There are gods but also goddess and I think this is very interesting to write or talk about. I would like to research about heroines in Greek mythology and would also like to write their stories. Many fairy tales and myths are focused on male characters, but there are a lot of female characters in Greek myths to talk about. The most interesting thing about heroines in Greek mythology is that they are not just sidekicks or extra characters that just walk by the heroes in the background scene, but rather are very powerful like male heroes do and some of them are protagonists of the story. A great example would be Atalanta.
(Atalanta. Web source: Theoi)
4. Possible topic : unknown heroes.
There are a lot of heroes in Greek mythology. This is very personal point of view, but some of the heroes are famous and some of them are not. For example, everyone know who Hercules is. I knew who Hercules was even before reading about Greek myth story. Achilles is also a great example of hero that is well-known. I did not know his story but his name is so famous that one of our body part is named after him. However, I have not heard of Hector before the reading. Many people might know him but he is not the one who was familiar with me. I would like to know, possibly all of them, and talk about some of the heroes whose name might not be heard by people like me. I am interested in what they did and how are they related to some of the famous heroes. This topic is quite personal because some of the heroes might not be heard by me but to most of people. I would still focus on minor heroes in this topic but this would be very specific and heavily based on my opinion. However, I am really interested in this topic.
2016/01/28
Storytelling - Week 2 : Fred's iliad
Once upon a time, there was a gorgeous woman named Helen. She was a wife of this charming man named Menelaus. One day, Helen, the beautiful wife of Menelaus, was kidnapped by the evil prince, Paris. Agamemnon found out that his brother was crying. So he asked,
"My beloved brother, why are you feeling sorrow?"
Agamemnon asked.
"Oh my brother, the king of all kings in the Greeks. My wife, My beloved wife was taken by that evil prince of Troy. I want to take her back, but I am nothing but an individual who has no power over the great country."
Menelaus cried. Agamemnon was furious. No man is allowed to take anything from his beloved brother. Agamemnon called heroes of Greeks. He reminded the promise that they made before Menelaus was chosen by Helen. All Greeks' brave warriors gathered.
Everything went well. Heroes united and they created friendship by sharing their brave stories. However, when they finally reached the shore of Troy, the problem happened. There was this beautiful lady who Agamemnon bought when he landed on the shore of Troy. She was the daughter of the priest who served Apollo. The old priest asked to get his daughter back and he would pay for any price. Agamemnon refused.
This action angered Apollo. Apollo decided to stand with his priest and started to kill Greek soldiers who were serving Agamemnon. Heroes of the Greeks knew that all soldiers would be dead before fighting against Trojans. The brave Hero, Achilles confronted Agamemnon with this problem. However, the ignorant king decided to take what was Achilles instead of admitting his fault. Agamemnon scolded Achilles, and Achilles angrily replied.
"Listen, the most arrogant king of all Greeks. Your eyes see nothing but yourself, your ears listen no words but your own. My hands are for those who respect the great Achilles, if you cannot see my skills and listen to my braveness, then my hands will no longer swing for you. I will not fight for you any longer."
Achilles gave the girl to the ignorant king and decided to leave the land. Agamemnon thought no Achilles would be needed to win the war. After all, there are many great warriors and they were all fighting for him, so he believed that one hero should not matter a lot.
He was wrong. Apparently, Troy had many brave warriors as well. Out of all Trojan warriors, Hector, a prince of Troy, the brother of Paris, shined among them all. He was the greatest fighter of Troy and no heroes of Greeks could stand against him. Many heroes died in the battle, and Hector, with his honor and the bless of gods, he was leading Troy to the Victory.
Agamemnon finally realized that, without Great Achilles, he could not win this war. He needed Achilles to defeat Hector. He knew this well, but he could not ask Achilles to rejoin the war again. So he called heroes who were close to Achilles.
"I am a great king. I am a king of all kings in Greeks. No one, but gods in Olympus, is above me, and Achilles shall not be the exception. With my pride and dignity, I would not ask Achilles to join this war. However, if he is willing to fight for his honor and fight for his friends, and fight for all nations of Greek!, then I will let him rejoin the battle."
Agamemnon said. Heroes were speechless. They all knew this was caused by Agamemnon and he was playing a role of victim. He was using all soldiers, and heroes to make Achilles feel guilty. They had no other choice but to convey the words of Agamemnon.
"What a selfish, foolish, and ignorant king he is. He may be a king of all kings, but no one is above anyone in the war. He is hiding under his tent and watching brave Greek soldiers die, yet he is talking about honor and glory. I would not rejoin the battle, my fellow heroes, as long as the greatest king of Greek is leading this war. With Agamemnon in my sight, you shall not see no shadow of mine either."
Achilles rejected Agamemnon. In fact, he decided to leave the battle ground to go back to his own country.
"Tell this to Agamemnon, my glory heroes. I am not running away from the war, nor running away from that brawny Hector, but I am indeed running away from the ignorance and arrogance of King Agamemnon."
The next day, Achilles left with his friend Patroclus. Patroclus insisted that he would fight against Hector, but Achilles stopped him. Finally, Achilles left the war.
Few months later, heroes of Greek returned. They were defeated. They could not take over Troy because no one could fight against Hector. In the returning ship, no shadow of Agamemnon could be seen. He was dead.
Author's note : This is the story about the war between Greeks and Troy. The main story of Homer's Iliad was focusing on conflict between Agamemnon and Achilles, and battle between Achilles and Hector. There are few side stories such as Thetis is begging for helping Trojans to help regain his son's glory, but I thought main focus of the story was about Achilles. I have chosen this story because I hated Agamemnon and I want to write a story about what if, Patroclus did not die so no one could defeat Hector. Agamemnon surely was just hiding under the tent so he cannot. In the original story, Agamemnon and Achilles argued and Agamemnon kicked Achilles from his troop. However, when he realized that Hector could only be defeated by Achilles, he sent few people to convince him to rejoin the battle. Achilles rejected but Patroclus, Achilles' friend was killed by Hector and eventually Achilles rejoined the battle and killed Hector. I did not like the story at all. I liked how Achilles honored his fridenship with Patroclus than anything but eventually Agamemnon got what he wanted. So I wrote a story of Agamemnon who got paid for his arrogance and ignorance.
Bibliography: Homer's Iliad from the Iliad retold by Alfred J. Church. Web Source: Mythology and Folklore Un-textbook
"My beloved brother, why are you feeling sorrow?"
Agamemnon asked.
"Oh my brother, the king of all kings in the Greeks. My wife, My beloved wife was taken by that evil prince of Troy. I want to take her back, but I am nothing but an individual who has no power over the great country."
Menelaus cried. Agamemnon was furious. No man is allowed to take anything from his beloved brother. Agamemnon called heroes of Greeks. He reminded the promise that they made before Menelaus was chosen by Helen. All Greeks' brave warriors gathered.
Everything went well. Heroes united and they created friendship by sharing their brave stories. However, when they finally reached the shore of Troy, the problem happened. There was this beautiful lady who Agamemnon bought when he landed on the shore of Troy. She was the daughter of the priest who served Apollo. The old priest asked to get his daughter back and he would pay for any price. Agamemnon refused.
This action angered Apollo. Apollo decided to stand with his priest and started to kill Greek soldiers who were serving Agamemnon. Heroes of the Greeks knew that all soldiers would be dead before fighting against Trojans. The brave Hero, Achilles confronted Agamemnon with this problem. However, the ignorant king decided to take what was Achilles instead of admitting his fault. Agamemnon scolded Achilles, and Achilles angrily replied.
"Listen, the most arrogant king of all Greeks. Your eyes see nothing but yourself, your ears listen no words but your own. My hands are for those who respect the great Achilles, if you cannot see my skills and listen to my braveness, then my hands will no longer swing for you. I will not fight for you any longer."
Achilles gave the girl to the ignorant king and decided to leave the land. Agamemnon thought no Achilles would be needed to win the war. After all, there are many great warriors and they were all fighting for him, so he believed that one hero should not matter a lot.
He was wrong. Apparently, Troy had many brave warriors as well. Out of all Trojan warriors, Hector, a prince of Troy, the brother of Paris, shined among them all. He was the greatest fighter of Troy and no heroes of Greeks could stand against him. Many heroes died in the battle, and Hector, with his honor and the bless of gods, he was leading Troy to the Victory.
Agamemnon finally realized that, without Great Achilles, he could not win this war. He needed Achilles to defeat Hector. He knew this well, but he could not ask Achilles to rejoin the war again. So he called heroes who were close to Achilles.
"I am a great king. I am a king of all kings in Greeks. No one, but gods in Olympus, is above me, and Achilles shall not be the exception. With my pride and dignity, I would not ask Achilles to join this war. However, if he is willing to fight for his honor and fight for his friends, and fight for all nations of Greek!, then I will let him rejoin the battle."
Agamemnon said. Heroes were speechless. They all knew this was caused by Agamemnon and he was playing a role of victim. He was using all soldiers, and heroes to make Achilles feel guilty. They had no other choice but to convey the words of Agamemnon.
"What a selfish, foolish, and ignorant king he is. He may be a king of all kings, but no one is above anyone in the war. He is hiding under his tent and watching brave Greek soldiers die, yet he is talking about honor and glory. I would not rejoin the battle, my fellow heroes, as long as the greatest king of Greek is leading this war. With Agamemnon in my sight, you shall not see no shadow of mine either."
Achilles rejected Agamemnon. In fact, he decided to leave the battle ground to go back to his own country.
"Tell this to Agamemnon, my glory heroes. I am not running away from the war, nor running away from that brawny Hector, but I am indeed running away from the ignorance and arrogance of King Agamemnon."
The next day, Achilles left with his friend Patroclus. Patroclus insisted that he would fight against Hector, but Achilles stopped him. Finally, Achilles left the war.
Few months later, heroes of Greek returned. They were defeated. They could not take over Troy because no one could fight against Hector. In the returning ship, no shadow of Agamemnon could be seen. He was dead.
Author's note : This is the story about the war between Greeks and Troy. The main story of Homer's Iliad was focusing on conflict between Agamemnon and Achilles, and battle between Achilles and Hector. There are few side stories such as Thetis is begging for helping Trojans to help regain his son's glory, but I thought main focus of the story was about Achilles. I have chosen this story because I hated Agamemnon and I want to write a story about what if, Patroclus did not die so no one could defeat Hector. Agamemnon surely was just hiding under the tent so he cannot. In the original story, Agamemnon and Achilles argued and Agamemnon kicked Achilles from his troop. However, when he realized that Hector could only be defeated by Achilles, he sent few people to convince him to rejoin the battle. Achilles rejected but Patroclus, Achilles' friend was killed by Hector and eventually Achilles rejoined the battle and killed Hector. I did not like the story at all. I liked how Achilles honored his fridenship with Patroclus than anything but eventually Agamemnon got what he wanted. So I wrote a story of Agamemnon who got paid for his arrogance and ignorance.
Bibliography: Homer's Iliad from the Iliad retold by Alfred J. Church. Web Source: Mythology and Folklore Un-textbook
2016/01/27
Week 2 Reading Diary - Homer's Iliad continued
Hector was the great warrior, but only thing he feared was Zeus. He knew this but his action eventually made Zeus angry. "Now Hector had sent the armour of Patroclus to the city, but when he heard Glaucus speak in this manner, he ran after the men who were carrying it and overtook them, and stripped off his own armour, and put on the armour of Achilles. And when Zeus saw him do this thing he was angry, and said to himself, "These arms will cost Hector dear."
Achilles heard that his friend died in the battle. He decided to fight to kill Hector but his mother, Thetis, stopped him because she knew he would die if he fight for Greek again. But Achilles is a great man who is not afraid of his death for his friend's honor. Then Achilles cried in great anger: "I would that I could die this hour, for I sent my friend to his death; and I, who am better in battle than all the Greeks, could not help him. Cursed be the anger that sets men to strive with one another, as it made me strive with King Agamemnon. And as for my fate—what matters it? Let it come when it may, so that I may first have vengeance on Hector. Seek not, therefore, my mother, to keep me back from the battle."
From this phrase, it is obvious even Trojans knew that how strong the Achilles was and they are winning a war because of one individual who angered him, Agamemnon. On the other side of the field, the Trojans held an assembly. And one of the elders stood up and said: "Let us not wait here for the morning. It was well for us to fight at the ships so long as Achilles was angry with King Agamemnon. But now this has ceased to be. Tomorrow will he come back to the battle, the fiercer on account of his great grief, Patroclus being slain. Surely it will be an evil day for us, if we wait for his coming. Let us go back to the city, for its walls are high and its gates are strong, and the man who seeks to pass them will perish." I cannot imagine how many Greek soldier could lived before getting killed by Trojans heroes such as Hector, if Agamemnon knew his place and was not such arrogant person.
Eventually Hector was defeated by Achilles and I want to write a story as if Hector did not kill Patroclus.
Achilles heard that his friend died in the battle. He decided to fight to kill Hector but his mother, Thetis, stopped him because she knew he would die if he fight for Greek again. But Achilles is a great man who is not afraid of his death for his friend's honor. Then Achilles cried in great anger: "I would that I could die this hour, for I sent my friend to his death; and I, who am better in battle than all the Greeks, could not help him. Cursed be the anger that sets men to strive with one another, as it made me strive with King Agamemnon. And as for my fate—what matters it? Let it come when it may, so that I may first have vengeance on Hector. Seek not, therefore, my mother, to keep me back from the battle."
From this phrase, it is obvious even Trojans knew that how strong the Achilles was and they are winning a war because of one individual who angered him, Agamemnon. On the other side of the field, the Trojans held an assembly. And one of the elders stood up and said: "Let us not wait here for the morning. It was well for us to fight at the ships so long as Achilles was angry with King Agamemnon. But now this has ceased to be. Tomorrow will he come back to the battle, the fiercer on account of his great grief, Patroclus being slain. Surely it will be an evil day for us, if we wait for his coming. Let us go back to the city, for its walls are high and its gates are strong, and the man who seeks to pass them will perish." I cannot imagine how many Greek soldier could lived before getting killed by Trojans heroes such as Hector, if Agamemnon knew his place and was not such arrogant person.
Eventually Hector was defeated by Achilles and I want to write a story as if Hector did not kill Patroclus.
2016/01/26
Week 2 Reading Diary - Homer's iliad
Achilles promised to Calchas the prophet that he will protect him from anything because Calchas knew that Agamemnon is the reason why Greek Soldiers were dying from Apollo's arrows. Achilles said, "no man shall harm you while I live, no, not Agamemnon himself."
Agamemnon is the most ignorant person in the story. From his phrase, "and take your people with you. I have other chiefs as good as you, and ready to honour me, as you are not. But mark this: the girl Briseïs, who was given to you as your share of the spoil, I will take, if I have to come and fetch her myself. For you must learn that I am master here." He is taking Achilles' girl because he had to give up his girl. He also refused to give his shares although everything was caused by his ignorance.
The phrase said by Achilles showed that he wanted to revenge the ignorant king. He told his mother this. "Now go to Olympus, to the palace of Zeus. You helped him once in the old time, when the other gods would have put him in chains, fetching the great giant with the hundred hands to sit by his side, so that no one dared to touch him. Remind him of these things, and ask him to help the Trojans, and to make the Greeks flee before them, so that Agamemnon may learn how foolish he has been."
Hector's wife, Andromache, expressed the fear of Achilles which proves that he is the greatest warrior of Greek, "My father is dead; for the great Achilles killed him when he took our city. He killed him, but he did him great honour, for he would not take his arms for a spoil, but burnt them with him; yes, and the nymphs of the mountains planted poplars by his grave. I had seven brothers, and they also are dead, for the great Achilles killed them in one day."
Agamemnon, just an ignorance and selfish king, 'sent' men to Achilles, not himself, to give him 'some' of his stuffs to make Achilles fight for him. I loved how Achilles rejected and scolded him for what he had done. - "Let him choose for his son-in-law some chief of the Greeks who is better than I am." Achilles was making fun of Agamemnon's word that he said to Achilles before 'greater than Achilles'
Achilles decided to fight because his friend was killed by Hector, but he would not have fight for Agamemnon. I focused on what a selfish king Agamemnon was and how great the warrior that Achilles was because he decided to fight against Troy because of his friend's death although he hated Agamemnon.
From, Homer's Iliad by Alfred J. Church.
Agamemnon is the most ignorant person in the story. From his phrase, "and take your people with you. I have other chiefs as good as you, and ready to honour me, as you are not. But mark this: the girl Briseïs, who was given to you as your share of the spoil, I will take, if I have to come and fetch her myself. For you must learn that I am master here." He is taking Achilles' girl because he had to give up his girl. He also refused to give his shares although everything was caused by his ignorance.
The phrase said by Achilles showed that he wanted to revenge the ignorant king. He told his mother this. "Now go to Olympus, to the palace of Zeus. You helped him once in the old time, when the other gods would have put him in chains, fetching the great giant with the hundred hands to sit by his side, so that no one dared to touch him. Remind him of these things, and ask him to help the Trojans, and to make the Greeks flee before them, so that Agamemnon may learn how foolish he has been."
Hector's wife, Andromache, expressed the fear of Achilles which proves that he is the greatest warrior of Greek, "My father is dead; for the great Achilles killed him when he took our city. He killed him, but he did him great honour, for he would not take his arms for a spoil, but burnt them with him; yes, and the nymphs of the mountains planted poplars by his grave. I had seven brothers, and they also are dead, for the great Achilles killed them in one day."
Agamemnon, just an ignorance and selfish king, 'sent' men to Achilles, not himself, to give him 'some' of his stuffs to make Achilles fight for him. I loved how Achilles rejected and scolded him for what he had done. - "Let him choose for his son-in-law some chief of the Greeks who is better than I am." Achilles was making fun of Agamemnon's word that he said to Achilles before 'greater than Achilles'
Achilles decided to fight because his friend was killed by Hector, but he would not have fight for Agamemnon. I focused on what a selfish king Agamemnon was and how great the warrior that Achilles was because he decided to fight against Troy because of his friend's death although he hated Agamemnon.
From, Homer's Iliad by Alfred J. Church.
2016/01/21
Tech Tip: Blogger Template
The simple template was decent but after observing a lot of awesome designs from other Storybooks, I wanted to change the blog template. I pick this watermark template because the sky and the grass make my blog looks more refreshed and more active.
Learning challenges
The most interesting and most important learning challenge is Time. Time management. This is very important. Because I usually do not deal with Time that efficiently. I am a student who usually procrastinate. I am not proud of being a procrastinator but I have to admit that I usually wait until the things are due. However, I have been working on time management recently. I failed one of the classes because I failed my time management. I have learned that no procrastination will be any helpful in my life so I have been working on it. However, I am still not good with this time management, so I would love to learn more about it. The only good advice that I am qualified to give out is do not procrastinate for any reason. I am not the master of time management but I have learned my lesson and that lesson is 'never procrastinate.'
Other learning challenge that I am interested is reading. This class is mostly about reading. Other classes, even scientific classes, are mostly about reading as well. If I do not read, I do not understand what is going on with class, and I will not succeed in any of the classes. Reading is not only important for classes but also important in life. Reading a book will grant people new experience that they have never had. For that reason, I like to read a book. Although it is usually a novel, I like to read it because it shows me another society, world, and life. Since reading is both interesting and important in life, I would need to learn more about it through this learning challenges. I need to read not just because, but with purpose! Also the problem with mine is that if it is not interesting for myself or if I feel lazy, I do not read carefully and miss some important information. From the experience, the best way to get myself to read is to find something fun about it. Sometimes reading can be boring especially when you are not interested, but if you have to read then make yourself entertained.
(Time! Blog. Source)
Other learning challenge that I am interested is reading. This class is mostly about reading. Other classes, even scientific classes, are mostly about reading as well. If I do not read, I do not understand what is going on with class, and I will not succeed in any of the classes. Reading is not only important for classes but also important in life. Reading a book will grant people new experience that they have never had. For that reason, I like to read a book. Although it is usually a novel, I like to read it because it shows me another society, world, and life. Since reading is both interesting and important in life, I would need to learn more about it through this learning challenges. I need to read not just because, but with purpose! Also the problem with mine is that if it is not interesting for myself or if I feel lazy, I do not read carefully and miss some important information. From the experience, the best way to get myself to read is to find something fun about it. Sometimes reading can be boring especially when you are not interested, but if you have to read then make yourself entertained.
(Reading. Books by Areta)
Growth mindset
I have not heard of Carol Dweck and I am not familiar with this term 'Growth Mindset' either. This concept is totally new to me and strange to me as well. Based on Carol Dweck's term, I am, with no doubt, a fixed mindset student. Especially as a science major, doing good in the class is all that matters. I try hard to get A but that grade is based on the test scores and the quiz scores. Although I try my best, sometimes i get B and C regardless of my efforts and that always makes me feel stupid and I just want to give up when that happens. I would like to say I have a growth mindset, but since middle school, this grade based environment forces me to be a fixed mindset student. The biggest challenges about learning new things in new classes are getting good grades. Sometimes, to get a good grade, I forget to enjoy of learning new knowledge but rather focus on remembering what will be on the test. Because I hate this fact, I am really interested in learning more about the growth mindset. It sounds more positive and more effective way to develop myself in learning new things. My personal goal for this semester is fixed minded as well. Getting good grades in all my classes. That is my personal goal right now. But hopefully, this goal will change somehow in more positive way as I learn more the growth mindset. I am excited for this class but I am worried about most of my chemistry classes. I hope learning about the growth mindset will help me to get over this anxiety!
(Perfect meme form myself! Growth Mindset Meme blog)
2016/01/20
My Favorite Storybooks. Storybooks Favorites
Secret life of Titans. This storybook was awesome. The title is clear. Titans are from Greek mythology. Giants are from Germanic mythology. Therefore, this is abut titans who are from Greek mythology. Introduction of this Storybook is clear. In fact, with Family Tree provided, it is more clear to see and easier to understand which Titans are referred as 'boys' by Clymene. Design is beautiful. Simple layout with interesting background images. For each Titan, images of that Titan is provided and I loved the Italicizing letters of this Storybook.
(Image used in Storybook. Atlas and the Hesperides by John Singer Sargent)
Sky Warriors: Great Title. Even without knowing which mythology it is, the title 'Sky Warriors' just attracted my attention and made me want to read this Storybook. Although it is hard to guess what the story is about, it is definitely one of the title that caught my eyes. Introduction is pretty interesting as well. Instead of background story or talking about the character, it has the link that directed me to the first round or part of the stories. What a wonderful navigation. It made me feel like as if I was playing a game. This introduction really made me want to read this Storybook. Design is great as well. It is simple. No background images but it is easier to observe.
(Winged Serpent from Storybook. Strange Lands.)
Ancient Chinese Fairy Tales - Clear title. Unlike other two Storybooks that I picked. This title just told me what this Storybook is about. It is not as interesting as Sky Warriors, but since it is straightforward, it still attracted my attention. Introduction surely made me want to read the stories. Using personal experience, it made me curious about the fairy tales that are going to be discussed. Moreover, Introduction of this Storybook has great explanation of the stories. Design is what I love the most. Chinese letters were used with translated English right next to them. Because the stories are about Chinese fairy tales, using Chinese letters all over the web-page was just a brilliant idea.
(Tin Hau Temple in Hong Kong That was shown in the Storybook)
My choice of stories. Overview of UnTextbook for Week 2
King Arthur - He is well known all over the world. But his name is only familiar to me, no story was told to me. Therefore, I am really interested.
Homer's odyssey! - I have always been interested in Greek Mythology! Odyssey is one of my favorite Greek characters but I do not know much about his story. I would love to read about this.
Homer's Iliad - I have heard a word "Trojan horse" I would like to read myth about Trojan war as well.
(Photo of King Arthur. King Arthur at the Great Hall by David Spender)
Homer's odyssey! - I have always been interested in Greek Mythology! Odyssey is one of my favorite Greek characters but I do not know much about his story. I would love to read about this.
(Odessey. Cyclops at lunch by John McLinden)
Homer's Iliad - I have heard a word "Trojan horse" I would like to read myth about Trojan war as well.
(Trojan War. Ilias by Ars Electronica)
Introduction to Fred Kwon
My name is Hyoshin, but everyone call me Fred.
My major is chemistry professional. In the future, you will see me teaching chemistry to college students.
My favorite class of last year was CHEM 4444 with Dr. Glazthofer. This class deals with a lot of graphs. Main goal of this class is to identify the unknown chemicals, so if you are interested in chemistry, this could be the class that you might love.
My biggest accomplishment of last semester was getting A in that class. Although it is a fun class, it is a challenging class also.
During the winter break, I went to Dallas, Texas to watch some interesting shows and museums.
My favorite book and movie is "The Lord of the Rings." For recent movie, I really enjoyed "The Revenant" that came out not too long ago.
For music, I do not have any favorite type of music. I just listen to what is on radio.
I have a dream of being a successful student in short term, of being a successful professor or chemist in long term, and of being a great father for my children and a sweet husband to my wife.
I have a dog.
Her name is Sephy. We got her when she as a little puppy and we love her so much.
My favorite food is any type of Korean food. I was born in Korea, so I love to eat any Korean food because I cannot eat those type of food in Oklahoma as often.
My hobby is to cook. Since I love Korean food, best way to get them is to cook them. I cook Korean food and my wife loves them.
During the extra time. I read books. Usually they are for fun, so most books are fantasy novels.
My major is chemistry professional. In the future, you will see me teaching chemistry to college students.
My favorite class of last year was CHEM 4444 with Dr. Glazthofer. This class deals with a lot of graphs. Main goal of this class is to identify the unknown chemicals, so if you are interested in chemistry, this could be the class that you might love.
My biggest accomplishment of last semester was getting A in that class. Although it is a fun class, it is a challenging class also.
During the winter break, I went to Dallas, Texas to watch some interesting shows and museums.
My favorite book and movie is "The Lord of the Rings." For recent movie, I really enjoyed "The Revenant" that came out not too long ago.
For music, I do not have any favorite type of music. I just listen to what is on radio.
I have a dream of being a successful student in short term, of being a successful professor or chemist in long term, and of being a great father for my children and a sweet husband to my wife.
(Mr.Kwon and Mrs. Kwon)
I have a dog.
(Picture of my dog, Sephy)
(Yum! Bibimbap by alpha)
My favorite food is any type of Korean food. I was born in Korea, so I love to eat any Korean food because I cannot eat those type of food in Oklahoma as often.
My hobby is to cook. Since I love Korean food, best way to get them is to cook them. I cook Korean food and my wife loves them.
During the extra time. I read books. Usually they are for fun, so most books are fantasy novels.
2016/01/19
Week 1 Storytelling "Every truth has two sides"
There was a fox. He lived in the forest where many predators lived. In this forest, he had to be careful to get his empty stomach filled. One day, he was very hungry. He failed to hunt for himself for three days, and he was starving. His mouth was craving for food and his eyes were blurry with starvation. He needed food as soon as possible or he could die from hunger. But because he was not fed, he was weak. Because he was weak, he could not catch any prey of his. But suddenly, he heard a song. A beautiful song that was sung by the cock. The fox knew this cock had to be fat in order to sing that loud. A fox ran towards the source of the song. He was starving and he had no other choice. At last, He found the cock. Just as he thought, the cock was huge; he would be a good meal for a starving fox. However, a fox did not have any strength to climb up the tree. Therefore, he had to try and persuade to come down.
He started to talk to convince this chicken.
"Hi, there. What a beautiful creature you are. May I have a honor to have a chat with you?"
A cock stared at a fox. He smiled.
"Of course, just come through the door. The door is at the bottom of the tree. We will share the story of our lives at the branch of this tree."
A fox ran. He did not suspect anything. There was only one thought in his mind. A fat juicy chicken in his mouth. He drooled.
"Well, Well, Well. Thank you, my chicken. I finally got to eat something. I was starving."
Apparently he was not the only one who was starving. A dog who accompanied this cock through the forest was starving as well.
"Now I don't have to eat you, chicken. This fox is going to be a better meal after all."
A dog drooled.
Author's note: The story of the actual fable is about the fox who was trying to deceive the cock. But eventually the fox had to face the dog who was a friend of the chicken. The moral of the story is the one who is trying to deceive other will pay for his/her actions, but I twisted the story a little bit to change the moral of the story. What if the cock crowed because he wanted to attract the fox? He probably got the fox's attention in order to feed the dog who possibly had not eaten during the travel. What if the cock was the one who was trying to deceive the fox and fox just had to try his best to get himself stay alive? The basic story is the same, but characters in my story have different reasons for their own actions. Therefore, the moral was different although the story was same.
Bibliography: this story is based on the fable of "The Dog, The cock, And The Fox" in Aesop for Children by anonymous.
He started to talk to convince this chicken.
(In the forest. Red fox pup by Eric Bégin)
"Hi, there. What a beautiful creature you are. May I have a honor to have a chat with you?"
A cock stared at a fox. He smiled.
"Of course, just come through the door. The door is at the bottom of the tree. We will share the story of our lives at the branch of this tree."
A fox ran. He did not suspect anything. There was only one thought in his mind. A fat juicy chicken in his mouth. He drooled.
(Hungry! Grey Wolf by Jordan Crowe)
"Well, Well, Well. Thank you, my chicken. I finally got to eat something. I was starving."
Apparently he was not the only one who was starving. A dog who accompanied this cock through the forest was starving as well.
"Now I don't have to eat you, chicken. This fox is going to be a better meal after all."
A dog drooled.
When it sounds too perfect, look before you leap
Author's note: The story of the actual fable is about the fox who was trying to deceive the cock. But eventually the fox had to face the dog who was a friend of the chicken. The moral of the story is the one who is trying to deceive other will pay for his/her actions, but I twisted the story a little bit to change the moral of the story. What if the cock crowed because he wanted to attract the fox? He probably got the fox's attention in order to feed the dog who possibly had not eaten during the travel. What if the cock was the one who was trying to deceive the fox and fox just had to try his best to get himself stay alive? The basic story is the same, but characters in my story have different reasons for their own actions. Therefore, the moral was different although the story was same.
Bibliography: this story is based on the fable of "The Dog, The cock, And The Fox" in Aesop for Children by anonymous.
2016/01/18
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