Reading Evaluation - Week 15

Below are questions and answers regarding the reading for this course.

* What readings did you like best?
I enjoyed the African, Jamaican, and Native stories. They all gave an inside look into those cultures and histories.


* What reading diary strategies were most effective for you?
For my reading diary, I normally would give a recap of what I read. When it came time to do the story, I rarely had to reference the diary, and when I did, it was more helpful to read the recap, instead of quotes from the story or any other method.


* What did you think of the overall balance between reading - writing - commenting in the class assignments?
I think there is a nice balance between reading, writing, and commenting because it set an order of operation for the course, which never changed, so I got into the habit of doing things in that order. Good balance.


* As you look back from the end of the semester, what advice about the reading do you have for students who will be getting started next semester?
My biggest piece of advice for future students would be DO NOT PROCRASTINATE, and work ahead. It can only benefit you, and help alieviate any additional stress from the course, in addition to other assignments for other classes.

Bri's Reflection - Week 15

Although we've come to the end of the road, this has been a great experience! Taking into consideration all of the work that has been completed and all of the thought that was given to each story I have written throughout this course, this has been a great experience! I've briefly worked on a blog in previous classes, but nothing to this extent. I heard that this course was extremely time consuming, but I also knew that the wait list was out of this world for the course, as well. So that in itself told me that this course would be worthwhile! I really enjoyed being able to let my creative juices flow. So often, especially in college, that's not really a luxury most students are able to have, simply because they're so busy working on endless assignments and projects.
My favorite part about this class was creating the storyline of Britney and Deontae. Often times, I find myself adding on to the story lines of movies and television shows, and I actually had that opportunity to do that in my #KnowTheOneYoureWith storyline.
With Laura's feedback, I definitely feel that my writing skills have improved. I find myself being mindful of certain things that previous would have never crossed my mind. I would love to take the Indian Epics course, but my time at OU is coming to a close. Next semester, I'll only be taking the necessitates in order to get that degree in December. Regardless of that, I'm very glad I was able to
take this course this semester and learn more about myself as a writer and in general. Although this may be one of the final posts for this blog, I am sure I will start up another, with even more exciting content. Keep and eye out, lovers.

It's been real.

-Bri.


(Photo created using Word Swag and typewriter found here)

Storytelling Week 14: "Just Kickin' It With Bri!"

Hello ladies and gents! Thanks so much for tuning in to this episode of "Just Kickin' It With Bri! I'm so excited to get this show started because we have some great guests joining us today. Just to give you a sneak peak: How will Princeton find a suitable mate, who is the father of Jennifer's baby, and what's up with the enrollment rate at your local university? Yes, I know that these topics are a tad bit scattered, but on this show... WE COVER IT ALL, HONEY! So sit back and enjoy the ride, 'cause it's bound to get crazy as we get down to the bottom of all of these stories!

First, let's welcome to the stage Princeton!

*audience applauds*

Bri: Hey Princeton! Thanks so much for coming out today! Ya know, when we heard your story, we knew that we had to help you out! So for the audience, could you give us a brief recap of what's been going on, so that they can be aware?

Princeton: Thanks for having me Bri. Yeah, I can tell y'all a little bit about what's been going here recently. So, for the past year, I've been trying to find that perfect person for me and my lifestyle. I started to realize that I was getting older, and it was about that time for me to settle down and start giving my parents some grand babies. They're getting older and they live in such a big house and they  could use some young company to keep them on their toes! Well anyways, throughout my whole life, I've never had an issue finding someone or a lot of "someones" to occupy my time and keep my attention. But I never took any of them seriously because I knew that I wasn't really looking for commitment.

Bri: Ok, so describe to me the type of ladies you're used to having around?

Princeton: Well usually, I'm not gonna lie, usually the girls I have around me really don't have a plan mapped out for their lives, they're just living day by day. They mainly just want to be around me because of who I am, but don't ever take the time to get to know me for me. They know I have money, that my family is damn near royalty, and they see that I'm attractive, but there's so much more than what meets the eye.

Bri: Ahhh, okay I see, I see. So it's mainly gold diggers that flock to you? So what type of woman are you looking for?

Princeton: Well, I'm looking for someone I can build with, have a family with, someone that actually cares about the me on the inside, and not the just materialistic things that I possess on the outside. I want someone that I can treat as my queen. Someone I know is on the same spiritual and mental playing field as I am. I want someone that can help make me better. Someone that I won't have to feel like I'm putting up a front around them, but that I am able to be unapologetically me.

Bri: Wow, that's beautiful. Isn't that beautiful, ladies and gentlemen?! *Audience goes wild* Well I'm pretty sure there are some people in the audience that wouldn't mind getting a shot, after hearing that heart felt piece. Well, I have a possible solution for you. The producers and I were discussing what we could suggest you do, and we thought that maybe you could have like a little group date. During that date, there will be something that is just a little bit off throughout the entire evening. Something that only you and the one lady that really cares about you would recognize. This way, you'll be able to weed out the real from the fake. How does that sound?

Princeton: Oh wow, yeah, that would be great! Doing something like that has never even crossed my mind! I think I'll use that. I'll get my mom to help me figure something out and I'll be sure to let you know how it goes.

Bri: And there you have it folks! We'll be right back after this commercial break to get back to just kickin' it with Bri!

Author's Note: This story was based off of the story of the Princess and the Pea. I choice this story because I feel like it's a classic that would be fun to have a modern spin on it. Here is a recap of what happens in the original story: Basically, the prince wants a princess, but he keeps running into the wanna be princesses, who are probably just gold diggers that want him for his riches. So he goes home sad, back to mama's house, because he can't find the princess of his dreams. Then on a rainy night, the doorbell rings and there she is, a real princess, well at least she says she is. In order to spare her son from any further heart break, the queen sets up a plan to determine if she really is a princess or not. She puts a pea at the bottom of twenty mattresses, knowing that if she was a real princess, she would know that they were there.
That next morning, the queen asked the princess how she slept, and she responded “Oh, very badly!” said she. “I have scarcely closed my eyes all night. Heaven only knows what was in the bed, but I was lying on something hard, so that I am black and blue all over my body. It’s horrible!”
In my story, the prince is on the talk show discussing his woes and then the talk show host gives him  solution to his problem and he leaves the show satisfied with the suggestion he was given. Instead of putting a pea under a mattress, the prince will have a date night and weed out the good from the bad in that manner.

This story is part of the Andersen Fairy Tales unit. Story source: Fairy Tales and Stories by Hans Christian Andersen, translated by H. P. Paull (1872).

The photo was made with the WordSwag App.

Reading Diary Week 14: The Emperor's New Suit

(image from Michael Clarke at Flickr, poster made with cheezburger.)

This was an interesting story to read because I had never read it before. In this story, the Emperor finds out about a suit that can determine if someone is smart, or if they are fit for the position that they hold. The way to determine this is by wearing a suit and those that can see it are smart and fit, those that cannot are stupid and ill-fit for the job. So the emperor decided that he wanted to get a suit made by these two swindlers in order to determine the type of people he was keeping as company. the swindlers asked for money and the finest fabrics to make this exquisite suit. For weeks, they pretended to be crafting the garment, but in reality, they were keeping it for themselves.
The emperor would send some of his most trusted  comrades to check on the progress of the suit. Each of them would see absolutely nothing, but didn't want to say that and look dumb, so they would make it seem like that saw the whole thing. Everyone continued to believe this, even the emperor, even though none of them saw a thing. Finally, the emperor went to the parade in his new "suit" and none one wanted to point out the obvious, until a little kid said that he didn't have any clothes on. It was at that point that everyone started to realize the reality of the situation.

This story is part of the Andersen Fairy Tales unit. Story source: Fairy Tales and Stories by Hans Christian Andersen, translated by H. P. Paull (1872).

Reading Diary Week 14: The Princess and the Pea

(illustration by Dulac)

Today's reading diary is focused on the story of the princess and the pea that is at the bottom of her countless mattresses and bedding. When I saw the picture for the story, I knew exactly which store I was about to read because I remember it from growing up. Besides the known plot of what happened in the story, i can reiterate it for those of you that may not know or remember it. Basically, the prince wants a princess, but he keeps running into the wanna be princesses, who are probably just gold diggers that want him for his riches. So he goes home sad, back to mama's house, because he can't find the princess of his dreams. Then on a rainy night, the doorbell rings and there she is, a real princess, well at least she says she is. In order to spare her son from any further heart break, the queen sets up a plan to determine if she really is a princess or not. She puts a pea at the bottom of twenty mattresses, knowing that if she was a real princess, she would know that they were there.
That next morning, the queen asked the princess how she slept, and she responded “Oh, very badly!” said she. “I have scarcely closed my eyes all night. Heaven only knows what was in the bed, but I was lying on something hard, so that I am black and blue all over my body. It’s horrible!”

And the rest is history, after that. The queen realized that she was a real princess and so did the prince. The prince and princess got married and lived happily ever after. The end.

This story is part of the Andersen Fairy Tales unit. Story source: Fairy Tales and Stories by Hans Christian Andersen, translated by H. P. Paull (1872).

Storytelling Week 12: #KnowTheOneYoureWith The Finale

Dear Diary, I am so excited right now! Bae is finally coming back to town from visiting his family. I haven't gotten to hear all about everything he did while he was out of town, but tomorrow, when I pick him up I know he will catch me up with everything that is going on! I'm glad I had this time to myself to just reflect on things in the past that I really hadn't taken the time to deal with. I finally feel like I can let go of all of this baggage and finally be happy again! I only started acting like this AFTER all of that mess started to happen years ago, after my brother died. This isn't me. This reflection period really showed me that! Hopefully i'll be able to just keep all of this to myself and not have to tell Tae. I know you're supposed to be honest with the people you care about the most, but I just don't want to lose him. We've been together for seven months now and I just feel like that would destroy everything we've built if I just tell him now. Guess we'll see how things go. 

That next afternoon, Brittany went to pick up Tae at the airport and everything seemed to be going just fine! They were so excited to see one another just as they would have been any other time. Brittany was sure that all was well, but Tae spent his time doing more than he expressed to Brittany, while he was away.

During the week Tae spent with his "family," he was actually doing some research of his own. Alicia, the secretary at the office they both worked at, had told him something a few months before she went missing. Tae never thought much about it until things started to add up to what she had told him. Alicia told Tae that a friend of hers from another firm told her that word on the street was that Brittany spent a pretty good amount of time in a psychiatric facility and that she was someone he ought to stay away from. She also told him that people said that Brittany could appear to be the sweetest girl but in reality, something had caused her to become very deceiving and manipulative.

Of course, Tae swept this under the rug, because there was no way that the girl of his dreams was really this manipulative psychopath! And then it dawned on him... "the girl... of my dreams." It literally seemed like from day one, she was perfect and that she knew exactly what to do for him to think that she was perfect. When Alicia went missing and Brittany didn't seem to show any concern at all, all of his suspicions were verified.

That following week, Tae decided that he was going to get to the bottom of all of this on his own. But he wasn't going to mention this to Brittany, of course. One, because she might be legitimately crazy. And two, if she wasn't this crazy psychopath she had been made out to be, he didn't want her to know that he ever entertained the theory.

Tae told Brittany that he was going to visit his folks for a week or so and that he would be back. He contacted a few of his old buddies from college to help him dig up the dirt and figure this all out, because he knew it was important for him to know the one he was with. Once he started digging, he made some terrifying discoveries. After uncovering that Brittany was more than likely responsible for the disappearance of multiple people, spent time in the psychiatric ward, and more than likely devised the entire plan for them to get together, he knew that this was going to be their end. Although, he did feel horrible about what happened to her brother, the crazy counselor that tried to brainwash her, and everything else that occurred in her past.

Tae decided that he wasn't going to turn her into the police, but did realize that he was going to have to break up with her as soon as he returned home.

The next day, after he got home, Tae decided that he wanted to go ahead and make the break up official. He decided to take Brittany to a public location (just in case her crazy come out play) and have this discussion with her.

If someone was sitting across the street, looking into the coffee shop where they went to talk, you would think that Brittany was told that her puppy had died. It was clear that they were both heartbroken, because they both truly cared for one another. Tae ended up calling a Lyft to take Brittany home and he drove separately. As each of them walked out, a few tears rolled down their cheeks.

And there you have it, folks. The love story of Brittany and Deontae came to an end just as Brittany was really starting to make changes within herself. As unfortunate of an ending this was, Tae finally knows the one that he was with.



Author's Note: This story was loosely based off of the battle between Beowulf and Grendel. In that battle, Grendel snuck in like a thief in the night (literally) into the town that Beowulf was staying in. Grendel casted a spell that made each of the men fall into an extremely deep sleep. Beowulf, being the extraordinary man that he is, was able to wake up, only to find Grendel devouring one of Beowulf's comrades. Grendel and Beowulf ended up having a fight with one another and Beowulf ended up coming out in the end, victoriously. The story of Brittany and Tae is an ongoing story that you can read here on my blog. This is finally their conclusion, just as the fight with Beowulf was the final conclusion for Grendel. If you're interested in learning about how this love connection all began,  read the very first story, entitled  #KnowTheOneYoureWith: The Introduction PART I, and go from there!
This story is part of the Beowulf unit. Story source: The Story of Beowulf by Strafford Riggs with illustrations by Henry Pitz (1933).

Photo of coffee mug came from here. 

Reading Diary: Dante's Inferno Week 13

Dante's Inferno.. I've heard a lot about this throughout the years but never knew much about it, so it's interesting to read about it now. In the first part of the readings, Dante is just now telling about his experience thus far, during the time that he first spent in the inferno. He's going through hell, no pun intended. I found it interesting that he was able to find someone that will be able to help him through to the next level. 

''It is best, as I think and understand, for you to follow me, and I will be your guide and lead you from here through an eternal space where you will hear the desperate shouts, will see the ancient spirits in pain, so that each one cries out for a second death, and then you will see others at peace in the flames, because they hope to come, whenever it may be, among the blessed. Then if you desire to climb to them, there will be a spirit, fitter than I am to guide you, and I will leave you with her when we part, since the Lord, who rules above, does not wish me to enter his city because I was rebellious to his law. He is lord everywhere, but there he rules, and there is his city and his high throne: O, happy is he, whom he chooses to go there!''
This quote from Virgil shows that he is willing to help Dante out, but that he won't be able to help him when it's time for him to navigate after he gets out of hell because he isn't welcome in Heaven. Or maybe he's stuck in Limbo.


Click here to see where the picture above came from. If you want to know where to find Dante's Inferno, click here.


This story is part of the Dante's Inferno unit. Story source: Dante's Divine Comedy, translated by Tony Kline (2002).