Wikipedia Trail-from Durga to Baby Name

In some previous books I have read, the goddess Durga is mentioned. I am really interested this semester in learning more about Drugs and the other Indian gods and goddesses.  

Wikipedia: Durga 
 This article was great for giving me the background I needed to understand who and what Durga is. I really enjoyed reading more about her and loved the fact that the first picture I found was of her riding a tiger. Next I found a link to the different names of Durga.

This was how Wikipedia showed Durga. Web Source: Wikipedia 

 108 Names of Durga 
 I was a little intimidated at first because the first thing that came up on the website was in a different language, but as I scrolled down I was able to find the English version. I really enjoyed this website, however I wish they gave more of a history on each of the names. Some of the names had definitions, but most did not. In order to fulfill my curiosity of figuring out what these names mean I went to my next article.

Mahalaya- Durga Puja Mahalaya 

While this article didn’t satisfy my curiosity about Durgas’ different names, it did teach me about Mahalaya and the Durga Puja, which is a cool festival in South Asia. I like that Wikipedia was giving me these links that didn’t just lead to more backstory, they helped me understand the different areas surrounding how the people celebrate Durga.

Here is an example of an alter at Durga Puja. Web Source

Bachpan Baby Names 
Wikipedia only gave me three external articles to choose from so, I had to go hunting for some more information (hopefully this is okay!) I was lead to a site for baby names that not only lists all of the names, but provides meaning to them. Apparently it was a big trend to name your child after a god or goddess.

 I really enjoyed this assignment because it allowed me to use my research and investigation skills. I have realized that while I enjoy using Wikipedia, it can have a downside. It does not always provide sufficient links to information. I found more information on this topic when I simply goggled the term “”Durga” overall, Wikipedia is a great source for information and links, however it should not be your only source that you use!

Tech Tip: Canvas Calendar

In my previous posts I have talked about my love of Google Calendar. Personally, I feel like it is a great way to keep up with assignments, classes and meetings. Unlike a lot of my fellow students, I was happy when OU switched to Canvas. I like that Canvas has an easier usability and it also allows you the greatest feature of all time, the Canvas Calendar. The Canvas Calendar is great because you are able to sync it with any existing calendar you have. For example, I was able to sync it with my Google Calendar. This is great for many reasons. Your assignments that your professors put on canvas automatically show up. This allows you to always have the most current due date and it saves you and the professor time, in terms of not having to email asking when an assignment is due.

How to add a calendar. Personal Photo

In the screen shot above I have highlighted how to add the Canvas calendar to your existing calendar. Simply click on the Calendar feed button in the lower right hand corner and it will give you this URL. You then add the URL to your existing calendar and then they will be synced! I highly recommend this to anyone who is a digital calendar lover like me!! 

Review: Week 1

This semester, in order to make sure I have all of my work backed up I am writing all of my stories on a word document first and then posting it. This will allow me to save two copies of my work, just in case something goes wrong.

I love the weekly emails for this class. Not only do they usual include a funny or motivational poster, but they also help remind me what needs to be done! My favorite thing from this weeks announcement has to be the picture of Dumbledore from the Week 1 orientation page. I love this quote for two reasons: its from Harry Potter and its my favorite quote. I have loved this quote since I first heard it when watching the Harry Potter movies. Since then, I have a shirt and a poster with this quote on it.

The best quote ever. by Dumbledore. Web Source

Words play such a major role in this class. We use them as inspiration for our stories and as vessels to bring new meaning to something. 

Famous Last Words: Week One

Week one, for some is known as the syllabus week and for others its just a normal week. I fall into the later category! I hit the first week rolling. My professors wasted no time when assigning homework assignments and papers. For me, the first two weeks of school are hardest because you are trying to establish a schedule. One thing I learned last year and didn't apply this year was GET AHEAD. Unfortunately, I was unable to start this class early like I wanted, but with a few long hard days I am hoping to get ahead on future weeks. One thing that I want to stress is try to do as much extra credit in this class as you can! Last year, I was able to finish two weeks early and it was a great feeling to already be done and be able to focus on finals!

For this class I am really excited to get started with the readings and the project! Last semester I choose to do a storybook, so I am really interested in exploring the portfolio option this semester! One thing that I like about this class versus the Myth and Folklore class, is that we are getting to read actual books! I think that reading books is a fun change from the style of the other class! On the downside, I am having to wait for the OU bookstore to complete my order, so I can start reading! I will miss having so many different fun reading options though!


For this next week I am really hoping to start my process of getting ahead. I know I can do it, it is just a matter of planning out free time to get it done! While there is a lot of work in this class it is so rewarding to look over your blog and all that you have done at the end of the year! I still go back to my Myth blog to look at my work.

This is great motivation for the coming weeks. Web Source 

Growth Mindset: Learning From Last Year

After taking this class last year, there were a lot of areas where I needed to have a better grasp on the growth mindset concept. In any class it is easy to feel defeated when you get a negative comment, a bad grade or a bad critique. In this class we are often asked to get critiqued and to critique other students. Some of those comments you receive will be glowing and others will have helpful points. Regardless of the type of comment you receive it is important to understand that the comments are there to make you better, not tear you apart. I think that one of the biggest aspects of growth mindset is accepting growth. It is easy to feel married to an idea or a piece of writing, but it is crucial for  growth to expand the idea and redo the writing.

For this semester I am going to keep in mind the concept "not yet." This was a concept that resonated with me from the growth mindset videos. As I am nearing the end of my undergraduate career I will no doubt be met with "no's" along the way. It is important when trying new things and applying for jobs to take every no as a not yet. If you are told no, it is not because you have failed, you just haven't been told yes yet. I think this is so important for students to remember! Everything is a process and takes time!

This is a great reminder that if at first you don't succeed, try again. Web Source

Time Strategies

"I learned that we can do anything, but we can't do everything... at least not at the same time. So think of your priorities not in terms of what activities you do, but when you do them. Timing is everything."
Author: Dan Millman

I think this quote is a great representation of this class. After taking Myth and Folklore last semester I learned that in order to be successful and have fun with a class like this you must work to manage your time. This class presents so many opportunities to grow as a writer and as a reader, but it is easy to often feel overwhelmed or short on time. 

For me, time management comes in the form of keeping an up-to-date Google Calendar and planner. With these tools I am able to not only manage my time, but keep track of my assignments.  I highly recommend a Google Calendar for anyone who is worried about getting overwhelmed this semester. There are so many great features to the Google Calendar like notifications, sharing your schedule and creating appointments. 

Because of  my love of planners and lists I naturally gravitated towards the article, The Psychology of Checklists.  One of my favorite things I took from this article was about the importance of setting "SMART" goals. These are goals that are, "Specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, time-bound." I think that this is such an important aspect of time management because its important to be realistic about the time you have. While I would like to say I have time to a million things in a day, the truth is it is often pick and choose when deciding what you will do that day. 

In order to be the best student, person and thinker you can be, it is important to understand how to devote yourself to different activities without neglecting others. For those of you out there who feel like they need a little extra nudge to get things done. Do yourself a favor and download the free Google Calendar app. It can help you manage your life, while still having fun in the process!! 

Don't be like this! Plan ahead! Web Source 

Reading Options

For my first reading option I have chosen to read Narayan's Ramayana by R. K. Narayan (1906-2001). I choose this version because I liked that it read more like a novel. To me, narrative stories are easier to connect with and they also help me to think more creatively about the topic. For my other class reading I am really interested in looking into the different graphic novels that Bizell has. I am also interested in reading about the five Pandava brothers. One of the book series I have read in the past, Tigers Curse, refers to a lot of stories from different Indian Epics. I really enjoyed this series, so I am looking forward to reading the different stories that inspired this book!! In the book they refer to the goddess Durga a lot, I am really interested in learning more about who she is and how she fits into the Epics.

I choose this photo because I am really interested in learning about Durga and the other gods and goddesses.  Durga with the buffalo-demon, Mahishasura.

Outside of taking Myth and Folklore last semester I have taken two other courses devoted to literature. I have taken Arthurian Literature and World of Dante during my time here at OU. I really enjoyed both classes because the stories in the classes had both adventure and mystery aspects. These are themes I enjoy in both my readings and in my show preferences. I like the show Game of Thrones because of the intricate relationships the characters have. Even though the show is presented as different stories, I like that each story relates to the other.

Storybook Favorites

Below are my favorite Epics of India Storybooks.

Barney's Epics of India Playbook 
I really enjoyed this blog. When I first saw the title I was expecting to see a giant purple dinosaur when I clicked on the link. I was pleasantly surprised to see the blog was about Barney from How I Met Your Mother! I really enjoyed how the storybook was laid out. The author created a blog that was written by the character and each tab corresponded with a different Barney segment. Overall, I really enjoyed this blog and I loved how they tied it in with the show. The design of the storybook was clean and professional, just like Barney Stinson.

Elephants of India 
It was the name that first drew me to this storybook. I love elephants! When you first click on this storybook you are attacked with color! From the photos to the background. I really liked this aspect of it, it created a really fun and interesting storybook. This was overall a really great storybook. The author set up this storybook in the format of a bedtime story, which I thought was clever. I liked how at the beginning of each bedtime story they would put a little blurb about the two boys who where hearing the story. It was a good way of keeping the theme present throughout.

Project Runway: Indian Epics Edition 
I love the layout and theme of this storybook. When you log onto the storybook it takes you to a front page where you can "enter" into the storybook. The overall design of the book was very interactive and interesting to flip through. The author of the storybook did a great job of highlighting the different fashions, while incorporating the stories throughout. I felt like I was watching an episode of PR.

Project Runway Indian Edition blog Screenshot. Web Source 

Week 1 Story-Blew the Magical Thinker

 Every night monstrous livestock plagued the Village. During the day the harmless sheep and and cows would graze in the field, but by night they would transform into viscous monsters. No one knew what made these animals turn savage or how to stop it. These creatures prowled the woods that surrounded the Village and would prey on the village people. When Blew was born his parents knew he was special. From early-on in his childhood, Blew was a calm child. He never cried or lost his temper. He was mature for his age in every aspect expect for his love of exploring. One day when he was ten years old he was snooping around in the attic, where he found an old shepherds horn. When he blew the horn something amazing happened, a sound as loud as a yell and a strong wind came from the horn. When his father heard this he knew his son had done something amazing. That night as the animals began to descend on the Village, Blew's father had him blow the horn to scare the animals away. Right before their eyes, the animals turned around and left the Village. The father and son couldn't believe it! They had found a way to save the village! 

The original Little Boy Blue while he naps. Web Source

From that night on, armed with his horn Blew would go out and sit on the hay, when the monstrous animals would get too close to the city he would blow his horn and  the powerful sound would push the animals away from the city, scaring them back into the shadows of the woods. 

Blew did this for many years. At first he was excited to have the honor of protecting the city, to be the chosen one. But as he grew up, Bleu no longer wanted this job.  He pleaded with his dad to let one of his other brothers take over, but his dad refused. 

“Please father, I want to experience the world outside of this Village. I have done this for twelve years. Haven’t I done enough?,” Blew pleaded. But with one look at his father he knew it was no use. 

“Stop whining boy, you should be honored that you were chosen for this life. This was destined for you.” 

Bleu tried one more time to reason with his father, “Shouldn’t I get a say in how I live my life?”

Expecting anger from his father he was surprised to see resignation. “ I’m truly sorry son, but we are in no position to question or challenge fate. The best we can do is to make the best out of the hand that we have been dealt.”  With a strong pat on his shoulder, Blew watched his father walk out of the door. 

Blew knew that he needed to take his future into his own hands.  He knew the animals only changed at night, so he needed to find a new way to protect the Village while they were sleeping. The following nights, he tried several different ideas. He locked the animals in pastures, but they still managed to get out. Next he tried to distract the animals with piles of food in the jungle, yet they still came back to the village.  He knew he was running out of ideas, so he began to think. There had to be a reason the animals didn’t change during the day. 

That night he surrounded the small village with torches. He thought that if he could keep the light going, even during the night, that the animals wouldn’t change. What he saw surprised him, armed with his horn; he saw that the animals didn’t change. He tested this out for the next two weeks and got the same results. When he approached his father and asked him to come see what he had discovered, his father was amazed. 

“Looks like you were destined to save the Village, one way or another. “ He father exclaimed with a heavy pat on the back. 

From that night on Blew realized that he has more to offer than just what destiny had decided. Blew was finally able to be a normal boy. 

Bibliography: This story is bases on the nursery rhyme "Little Boy Blue" in The Nursery Rhyme Book, edited by Andrew Lang.

Author’s Note: I really enjoyed getting to read different nursery rhymes. When I read the story about Little Boy Blue I immediately thought that there had to be something special to a little boy who herds the sheep and cows. I was also struck with the idea about what comes after the fairytale ending or the happily ever after. I knew that Little Boy Blew would one day grow up and I wanted to see who he would become. I hold the firm belief that everyone has something special about them, whether it is something they are born with or something they discover. Blew in my story might have been destined to be one thing, but he was took control and became who he wanted to be!  

Possum Kingdom Lake, My Favorite Place

My favorite place is Possum Kingdom Lake. It is located outside of Weatherford, Texas and is a nice, breezy, 5-hour drive from my hometown of Lubbock, Texas. My family has been going there for 20 years, and despite what the name might suggest, it is a beautiful lake where people go floating and boating and jet skiing (wow, I really wish I was able to make that last one rhyme!) To me, Possum Kingdom means family, it is the one place where my siblings and I can meet up and take a break from our busy lives. On the lake there is a place called Hell's Gate.

Hell's Gate at Possum Kingdom Lake. Web Source: Wikipedia

It is the perfect place to take your boat on the Fourth of July to watch the fireworks. The fireworks would be shot off of the two peaks as you are driving in through the gate, making the sparks look like they are raining down on you. It was like magic when I was a kid. While Possum Kingdom and Hell's Gate might not sound like a fun place to vacation, but to me it is a irreplaceable part of my childhood. 

Introduction to an Eclectic Soul

Hi Guys! As you can see from my blog my name is Katie Nichols! I am a senior, public relations major within the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication. This year has been really exciting so far because this is the first year of my 4 + 1 accelerated masters degree (I say exciting, but what I really mean is scared out of my mind.) When I finish my masters my dream job is to work in the entertainment industry. I have always loved reading and watching movies, so it seemed like the perfect career for me to go into (fingers crossed, I can make it happen!)

This summer was fun because I was an intern at RD Thomas Advertising in Lubbock Texas. For an in-depth look at my personality and what my internship was all about you can see my intern spotlight. This semester I am serving as the Assistant Public Relations Director for Lindsey and Asp, which is Gaylord’s student-run advertising and PR agency. This is my favorite program that Gaylord offers, because it offers hands-on experience and because it is run by a great group of students! 

Beyond that the main thing to know about me is I am obsessed with Harry Potter. I have them practically memorized and can quote them as I type this on my Harry Potter decal covered computer and sip from my Hogwarts Coffee glass. My love of the Harry Potter series when I was younger led me to a life-long love of reading. I love books in any form I can get and when I am driving home to Lubbock, Texas, where I’m from, I listen to my audible account. My favorite books are fiction, while I love a true story, there is something magical about entering a world that’s entirely made up. 

I hope this has given you a look into who I am! I’m an open book (see my pun?), so ask me anything you want! I am an eclectic soul and my favorite things in life are good friends and family.  I will leave you with one of my favorite quotes from the movie and book, We Bought a Zoo. I hope it gives you the courage to step outside of your comfort zone!! 

 This is a partial quote from Benjamin Mee the author of We Bought a Zoo. Web source: Pinterest