Commenting Review Week:

The commenting portion of the course is probably the one with which I have had the most trouble! I think part of it is wanting to be sensitive to the people writing. They have spent time and effort creating a story, and I don't like trying to find a way to criticize, even if it is constructive! That being said, I do truly see the value in doing so. I like when I get comments back that tell me a way I can change my writing, even if it is something as small as fixing a quote or a comma.

The biggest problem I've found with this set-up is, and this is me being 100% honest and transparent, nobody goes back and fixes the suggestions if it isn't required, myself included. For the storybook, these suggestions are helpful, because it is an evolving piece that builds on itself. But for the storytelling posts, I never went back to fix them because I didn't really need to. I get that those comments were for practicing so we could give constructive feedback for the storybook, but I think it might be worth an extra credit assignment (maybe one point a week?) to go review the comments on the storytelling posts and fix the suggestions from the other students in the class. Maybe this is my way of putting a big scarlet "A" on my forehead because I am calling myself out at the slacker student, but I am trying to be helpful. I have no incentive to fix my writing if it isn't the storybook! Phew, that feels good to get off my chest.

What I do like about this, though, is that I feel praised for the work I do get done! In my other classes, for instance, the only acknowledgement I get from my work is a grade. I get no feedback from the professor or from other students. Here, I have people telling me "good job" and "well done" at least once a week! Even though those comments are required, they make a difference. I think it is important in life to feel like the things you invest your time into (for this class it is reading/writing) are valued and noticed! This idea reminds me of another Mother Teresa quote:

Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat.

I think this class allows me to feel like the things I do have a place- even if it is on a smaller scale.

As far as pictures go, I was at a loss on which ones to include, so I decided to scroll through my camera roll from the weekend and put the best ones on here!

Given the snow in Norman this past weekend, I walk outside at midnight on Saturday night to discover my best guy friends barricaded our front door with a truckload of fresh pow-pow. I couldn't stop laughing- pranks are my favorite!

Image Credit: Self-photographed February 28, 2015.

 I'm on a jeep kick. This is my dream car. Two-door white Jeep Wrangler with top off, wench on the front, and manual steering. The beach is optional, but I wouldn't complain.

(Image Creds: Pursuit of Preppiness)

 My best friend sent this to me on Friday. Please, Lord, let me be like this when I'm sixty. Preferably, like the fine-lookin' lady on the left.

(Image Creds: Chronicles of a Trophy Wife)

Writing Review Week: Write or Wrong.

Bringing fresh eyes to my work really gives me a different perspective about my writing style. One of my weaknesses in writing is dialogue. I don't feel like I know how to develop dialogue really well, or when I can skimp on the formal writing rules to make it flow more easily. One of my strengths is the voice I use in writing, keeping the diction fresh and enjoyable. I'm not perfect at this, but I try!

This has definitely challenged me in both the structure of my writing, such as grammar and writing development, as well as creativity. How do you read one story and completely rewrite it to completely change the story, yet still keep it the same? Coming up with an idea on how to rewrite a story from my reading is the hardest part for me. I like when ideas come quickly- such as the avocado story, but others do not come nearly as quick- such as the story about Ody.

I think the best thing for my writing is honestly just reading more. The more I read of original works and works of other the people, the bigger sample size I have, per say. With that, I can take ideas, formats, etc. from others' writing and make it my own!

My favorite picture so far, as I'm writing this at least, is the one of Santorini, Greece. I have a hunch that this has something to do with the fact that I just looked up $120 round-trip tickets to go from Athens to Santorini (which is a Grecian island) during my trip Summer 2015. For grins and giggles, I'll include a few more of Santorini, as I am hoping to instill intense FOMO (fear of missing out) in all who read this post!

(BlogLovin')

(99TravelTips)

Amoudi Bay

(Travel + Leisure)

Reading Review Week: Remi"missing" the Best Stories!

I love how this class is structured; I really do. At times I get frustrated because it has something due every single day, but really all that does is force me to be disciplined. Everything about this class is exactly opposite from any of my other classes: the teacher actually cares; I am allowed to be creative; there is no "right" answer; I get to tailor the course to my interests; I am on my own time. It's been a very 'stretching' experience, but a very rewarding one.

Looking back to my reading diaries, I honestly just laugh out loud. It is like reading a note from a friend in 7th grade, but slightly less dramatic. I remember writing each of the posts and they took me back through the readings, highlighting my favorite parts. Nostalgia. I also noticed a trend in my writing. The first half of my posts included a favorite quote or two from the stories I read, and some of the last few posts just provided a short review of what I had read. I like when I include quotes, because it allows me to remember my favorite parts of the original text. I think from now on, I'm going to try and include my favorite quotes from the reading for my diaries.

I didn't typically use my diaries in conjunction with my storytelling posts, but I truly do think that would be helpful. It would allow me to know the individual story that I am rewriting on a more thorough level. I still stand by my loving the units that flow from story to story, though, because to me it just seems more like a book! 

Overall, I've enjoyed the class so far. It's challenged me to become a more creative writer, as well as become more tech savvy! (Which I really needed!)

My favorite pic from my readings was the one of Mother Teresa. In fact, I almost posted it again on the reading for this past week just because she was on my mind! She is a woman whose life is worth studying. One of my favorite Mother Teresa quotes is this:

I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love.

 Image Cred: Wikimedia Commons