Week 3 Famous Last Words

This week I loved reading the reading units. I really enjoyed reading about the saints and I didn't really want to stop. I also think I wrote a little bit better this week. I tried using dialogue and I think came up with a clever idea of trying to get my story across. I definitely need improvement but this is definitely a start. I also wrote papers in some of my other classes, but I never have to be as imaginative as this class. I need to become focused though, I feel like I have been slacking these last couple of weeks and that usually isn't my style! I need to get back into a groove like I usually am! I also have learned a lot by reading others storytelling. They are helping me think of new ways to tell stories and present them in a whole new style. This weekend I took some time just to relax and breathe some fresh air. I went on a road trip with some friends and really thought about what I want to do with the free time in my life. We went hiking at Alabaster Caverns and walked in a field full of windmills. It was really crazy to see how big they are once when you get close to them! It was mesmerizing and reminded me that I am still very small. It reminded me that I am bound for great things and I need to strive for those moments in life. I want to take advantage of each day and not waste my time! I really like this class in the fact that it is making me realize what is important in life and letting me reflect on how I am spending my time. In a way I am learning more about myself taking this class, and it is a great feeling! 

Windmills

Week 3 Tech Tips: Pinterest

Pinterest is such a fun website!!!! I get so many ideas from cooking to crafts to future pets to even future vacation spots! It is so interesting to see how creative people are and to see what everyone is interested in. I could spend hours on Pinterest if I wanted to! I have been using Pinterest for a while but sometimes I forget about it. It is nice to go on it every once in a while whenever I am trying to waste time!

Here is my Pinterest if anyone wants to get to know me a bit better! Warning: there is a board specifically for pets and animals since I'm obsessed! You will notice a lot of great danes, corgis, and Bernese Mountain dogs in there!

https://www.pinterest.com/clheard/

Week 3 Learning Challenges: Happiness

Alabaster Caverns

This week I decided to do the challenge of just being happy and taking advantage of the life I have. I think I have just been so stressed out lately with trying to figure out my future that I am forgetting to live in the present. To be happy this weekend I went on a road trip! Here I go again with my adventures. A couple of friends and I drove out to Alabaster Caverns and enjoyed a day of hiking. It was great to get out into the fresh air and not think a whole lot about anything! On the way back we even stopped and walked in a field full of the energy windmills. I had never been so close to one in my life and man are they majestic! It was so relaxing just taking the day for myself and enjoying being happy. I'm going to try to find times of the day for just myself and take advantage of those times.

Windmills

Week 3 Storytelling: Small Gesture, Big Impact

"Well, hello there, Felix! Welcome to the show! Have a seat on this old couch and it's nice to meet you!" said Jimmy Kimmel.

"It's nice to be here, Jimmy. Thanks for having me!" said Felix. 

"So tell me, Felix, how have you been since your role in your first major Hollywood film? A romantic drama film filled with friendship, deceit, and love," asked Jimmy. 

"It has been such a whirlwind actually! I didn't expect this movie to become so popular as it did and it was just a blessing being able to work with so many amazing actors that have influenced me over time," responded Felix.

"Well, you did a great job and I bet that your life has changed a bit since it came out, huh?" asked Jimmy. 

"Oh, most definitely! I can't say that I've ever been chased by paparazzi and been recognized in so many places before the movie came out," said Felix. 

"You better get used to it then, because I'm sure all the girls are just waiting for you to show your face and chase you down the street!" said Jimmy. 

"Ha ha, yeah, I was never the better looking one in high school, so it's a weird feeling for sure! They can be pretty crazy too; I never thought that I'd have to hide out in public like I have to sometimes do now," said Felix. 

"Ha! Are you telling me that you have had to hide from fangirls just on the street?" asked Jimmy.

"Oh yeah! I will never forget this one time I was just walking down the street minding my own business when I heard a couple of girls gossip with each other while passing me saying, 'Girls, that's totally him, I'm serious, my future husband,'" said Felix.

"Oh no! How did you get away from that?" asked Jimmy.

"Well, I started walking a little faster once when I heard them talking, which was good because it gave me a head start, and then I just started weaving through the crowds and trying to throw them off my track. Finally, as they were about to get closer, I turned off really fast into some store where I ran into this little girl who was there with her mother. Turns out her mom owned the store, so that's why she was there but she was the cutest little thing with a yellow dress with the frilly white socks and a red bow in her hair. She laughed at me when I was panting and asked me what I was doing. When I told her that some girls were following me, she led me to the back of the store and sat me down on the ground. She then put some boxes around me behind the counter and then sat on top of them to cover up my face. Sure enough those crazy girls came into the store in a tizzy and were searching every corner. The little girl just smiled at them and waited till they left to get down from the box to let me out. Ha ha, the mom came out from the back and was concerned as to who I was and why I was behind the counter," explained Felix.

"Yeah, she was probably thinking you were about to rob the place," joked Jimmy. 

"After leaving the counter and apologizing for using her place as a hideout, she then realized who I was and then I gave them my autograph and took a picture with them as thanks for their help. I waited around and talked to the girl and her mom for a tiny bit longer until I felt like the coast was clear and then went on my way. Oh man, I'd just like to say thanks again for that little girl. I don't think I would've been able to escape alone!" said Felix.

"I don't know, you might have to get used to it, Felix, if you're going to be in any more chick flick movies! You'll have to find a better escape route for all those crazy teenagers wanting to marry you!" said Jimmy.

"I know, right? I need to come up with a plan because I don't think I'll be as lucky to find that little angel again to save me. Seriously, of all the people that could have helped, it was a child who saw my struggle and helped me," remarked Felix.

"Well, I hope you make it out alive again because we'll want you back on the show soon!" said Jimmy.

"I'd love to come back and thanks for having me!" said Felix.

Jimmy Kimmel (flickr)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author's Note: I used The Ballad of Saint Felix to write this story. In the original story, it was about Saint Felix who was being chased by the soldiers who were going to kill him for being a Christian. He barely got away from the soldiers and hid in a little crevasse where a little spider formed a strong web around the opening so the soldiers would not find him. He stayed there till it was safe to leave and had the help of a woman who kept him hidden in a well until it was officially safe for him to come back into the public. In my story I chose a child instead of a spider and her mom instead of the other woman who helped him hide. Sometimes I find that reading a story about people instead of animals is easier to connect with and apply to our lives. I also decided to tell this story in a way of an interview. This way there was some comedic relief throughout the whole story. I chose The Jimmy Kimmel Show because he is really good listening to a story and making it better without really even trying. This story shows how we forget how important a child or a spider is in this world and that they can have a huge impact on a person. This impact can even save a person's life. 

Bibliography: The Ballad of Saint Felix. The Book of Saints and Friendly Beasts. By Abbie Farwell Brown in 1900.

Week 3 Reading Diary continued: Saints and Animals

This week I decided to read the Saints and Animals unit, from The Book of Saints and Friendly Beasts by Abbie Farwell Brown, and really enjoyed reading all about these handful of saints!

The Fish Who Helped Saint Gudwall - He and his friend lived on a small deserted island in caves. When the winter came, the ocean and waves made him flee his own home. The fish heard his prayer and built a sand bar for him so he could live out the rest of his days living on the island with peace. This is a story where it is flipped and the animals are actually the ones helping the human. 

The Wolf-Mother of Saint Ailbe - I really enjoyed reading this story; I even got a little emotional when reading St. Ailbe's and his wolf-mother's reunion. It is incredible that a man can be brought up by wolves but then still be able to live a respected, sophisticated life. Of course St. Ailbe would have a deep love for his wolf family and would want to respect the ones who raised him as a child. And I love how at the end the wolves would come every day for a meal at his table. I bet that was a sight to see!

The Ballad of Saint Athractas Stags - She is a girl who loves the animals and everything of nature. When the King threatens her forest and the animals inside it she uses her hair as a harness for stags and goes to the King's palace. After seeing that he changed his mind and let the forest be in peace. I can't even imagine a girl using her long hair to lead animals. Kind of reminded me of Rapunzel in a way (the Tangled version). 

The Ballad of Saint Felix - This one is amazing because even the smallest animals/insects looked after Saint Felix. A spider formed a web to hide him from soldiers to save his life. We forget that sometimes the smallest insects can have a big impact on the world. 

The Ballad of Saint Giles and the Deer - Being best friends with a deer saved this man's life. He decided that he would sacrifice his own life so that his deer friend could live. The King, after seeing St. Giles's courage and love, saved his life for what he did for nature. What is even cooler is that the King took care of St. Giles and then after meeting him was converted into a Christian. 

Saint Francis of Assisi - He was a very poor man who loved every minute of life. He devoted his life to giving lessons of peace and caring for all those in need including animals. He was able to tame a wolf and be loved by every animal in sight. They all would gather around him and enjoyed to be in his presence. I pray that I can live my life as fully as St. Francis did when he lived. 

Saint Francis

Week 3 Reading Diary: Saints and Animals

This week I decided to read the Saints and Animals unit, from The Book of Saints and Friendly Beasts by Abbie Farwell Brown, and really enjoyed reading all about these handful of saints!

Saint Kentigern and the Robin - This story is about a really good student who always wanted to improve and better himself. The other boys at the school become jealous of him and try to get him in trouble on multiple occasions. What they don't realize is that he is blessed by God in a way that none of them expected. This story reminded me of these days with kids bullying others and realizing the importance of them as time goes on.

Saint Blaise and his Beasts - I enjoyed this story because he is a saint who knew from the beginning that he wanted to help all others and all creatures. He tamed a wolf and even cured a kid from choking on bone on his way to prison. Now I know the meaning of the story of why we always prayed to St. Blaise for sore throats!

Saint Comgall and the Mice - This is the ultimate story of the good people suffering from the selfishness of the wealth and overcome it. He used mice to feed the rest of the town! How clever!

The Wanders of Saint Berach - Saint Berach was also a saint of healing and cared for others so deeply. He tamed a wolf and made it love a cow, and he saved a child by growing apples in the snow! He wanted to show people lessons without hurting them or causing them any harm. He was kind of funny too especially with the kids he slightly froze for a bit!

St. Blaise Image