Epics of India

In his article, Thomas Oppong makes the point that completing the most undesirable task of the day first thing gives us a profound sense of accomplishment and sets us up for a more productive day.  I have certainly noticed this trend in my own life; when I stay up super late doing homework, I often skirt around the least desirable work at hand and end up wasting a lot of time perusing the internet. When I force myself to go to bed and get up early in the morning to complete homework, however, I feel refreshed, energized, and better able to complete difficult tasks. I like the way Oppong breaks tasks into the categories of what we need to or don't need to do, and what we want to or don't want to do. Sometimes the amount of work in our lives can be overwhelming, and using this system to categorize tasks and identify how we should approach our work based on its importance seems like a very good time management strategy. Oppong also makes a profound statement about the approach to ...

Technology and I have always had an interesting relationship. While I really enjoy using tools on the internet to explore and create, I sometimes struggle to keep my online presence organized. The fact that all the details of this class are so clearly laid out on different websites is very helpful, because I always know where to find assignments and course information. I am very familiar with bookmarking (I have hundreds of tabs saved so that I can attempt to find things when I need them) and I use pinterest regularly as a sort of online cookbook (I have sections organized based on different food categories). I am very intrigued by the graphics creation and image editing tools. I love playing around with graphic design and formatting pictures in unique ways, and one of my goals this semester is to become more well versed in this. Source: The Blue Diamond Gallery

I am very excited for the readings and the opportunity to write our own stories! It has been a long time since I have been able to do creative writing for a class. Having grown up hearing some stories about the Hindu gods, and being very intrigued by their unique personalities, I can't wait to learn more about them and the tales that have been woven around them. This class is structured very differently than most I have ever taken, because it focuses on the act of learning and exploring material rather than memorizing and regurgitating information. I like the fact that we can pace ourselves individually and fit the coursework into our own schedules. For extra credit I definitely want to take a walk along the wikipedia trails. I really enjoy exploring topics and doing research, and seeing where I can go on a research journey sounds like a lot of fun. I think it will also be very eye-opening in helping me find connections between things I may never otherwise have considered to be r...

Before watching Carol Dweck's videos I was not previously familiar with the concept of the growth mindset, and I am very intrigued by how it can shift our thinking to a more positive and productive place. I agree that we should place focus on the process of learning rather than ranked outcomes; the way in which a student approaches their learning is much more valuable in the long-term than seeing an A on the top of a paper. I try to approach my own school work in this way, putting in the time and effort to effectively engage with knowledge and create meaningful work that I take pride in. However, I have definitely fallen victim to the fixed mindset before, as much as I strive not to obsess over grades and perceived failures. I grew up in a very competitive school district where Bs were practically considered failing; high school was an extremely challenging time of my life because of the pressure I felt to do well and attain those magical As, and I sacrificed true learning in some...

Hello and welcome to my blog! My name is Joni and I am from Rockville, Maryland. I originally came to the University of Oklahoma for the ballet program, pursuing a degree in Ballet Performance. I have been dancing since I was seven years old and I am extremely passionate about it. One of the best parts about being involved in the fine arts department is getting to perform; if you've never ventured to the theatre on the North Oval, I highly recommend seeing a show there! During my sophomore year I decided to tackle a second major in International Studies, concentrating on the Middle East. I took a course called 'Poverty and Inequality in the Middle East' last semester that revolutionized my outlook on the region and how I think about the choices people make in their lives. It was fascinating to analyze the differing perspectives of the history books versus the people themselves. Although having two majors has proved challenging at times, I am very grateful to be able to pu...

Karma: It's Not Just For Breakfast Anymore ~ Read Here This storybook was a humorous take on how karma comes full circle in our lives, and how we can work to understand the events that take place as a result of our actions. I particularly like the witty title, which caught my eye as I was scrolling through the list of storybooks. I am familiar with the concept of karma, and I think that this story does an excellent job of demonstrating how we may not always be aware of how or why certain behavior affects us in the long run. The front page of the storybook features a cartoon that sets the light-hearted tone of the story and offers an inviting visual. The introduction, where we first meet the character of Rob and learn how his world has been turned upside down, is immediately engaging. The blue hues that make up the background offer a visual representation of how Rob has become "blue" in light of recent events in his life. Although the overall layout of the blog was rathe...

Vermont holds a special place in my heart. For the past six years, I have spent my summers dancing and performing  in the town of Johnson with a local company called Burklyn Ballet Theatre.  (Personal image of the view from a hill in Johnson, VT. August 2018) The clear air and blue skies never fail to rejuvenate my spirits - I often sit outside for hours gazing at the horizon and the vast expanse of forest stretching out under the skyline. Sunsets here are painted with the most vivid colors of the artist’s palette, enveloping everything in a hazy golden glow.  About an hour south lies the city of Burlington; it is a metropolitan area renowned for its local businesses and quirky atmosphere.  (Church Street in Burlington, VT. Source: Flickr ) A beautiful body of water known as Lake Champlain stretches along the edge of the city.  The upper shoreline borders Canada, and there is a ferry that connects us to our northern neighbors. The wate...