Time Strategies

So this assignment was all about time management... something I definitely need help with! Unfortunately, I have been known in the past because of my procrastination and "scatter-braininess." I always keep my promises and get things done, but usually there are easier less dramatic ways for me to get those tasks done. This class will really help me with that. Online classes have really challenged me since we had to go online in Spring 2020. So hopefully, by the time I graduate, I will be much better in my time-management skills. While we went over useful tips for keeping up to date with everything with class, we also chose 2 articles to read that held good tips and strategies for helping with time management. The two articles I chose were:

- The Myth of Too Busy-The Myth of "Too Busy" - Book Launch

- How to Beat Procrastination-  How to Beat Procrastination (hbr.org) 

Both of these articles addressed things I struggle with. The first article I read talked about being "too busy." I am famous for using that phrase. When i feel overwhelmed I always have a freak out moment and say " I'm just too busy!" and leave things undone that probably could've got done if I had, as the article said, prioritized my time. So, I'm going to try to change my language and my mindset and use the tips that the writer talked about. Most oft he battle for scheduling and managing my time is all in my head. 

In the second article I read about tips to help me beat an old foe of mine... procrastination. Anyone else guilty of procrastinating till the last minute and then freaking out till the thing is done? I've done that a lot in the past and as I'm getting ready to leave college, I realize I really need to get a handle on this bad habit of mine. This article helped explain that its natural for my brain to want to do this, though. That really helped with my outlook on it. I plan to write down these tips and hang them in my office space to help remember them. 

Time Management 

(Source: Time Management Business Deadline - Free photo on Pixabay)

   

Technology Overview for This Semester

 So for this assignment, we had an overview of the technology we will be using in this class. We will use blogging sites, make our own websites, and use image editing tools. I'm a little nervous because I don't know much, but I know it will help in the future in my career with social work. We also had a walk through of our browser to "tune it up." I use the newer Microsoft Edge as my main browser and was able to figure out how to set things up with spell check and a word count. It seems to work better and faster on my computer. But, I do have Chrome to use as my back-up in case. One tip I can share with everyone for pictures is pixabay.com. It is free images to use. A friend of mine who blogs regularly uses it. Hopefully, I can pick up more knowledge of using all this tech before the end of the semester! 

smart phone picture 

(Source: FunkyFocus | Pixabay)

Semester Assignments Overview

 After looking at all the assignments for this class, I'm really looking forward to all we are going to do. The reading to me will be a really cool experience. I love reading and finding new things to read and learn about. I also love mythology in general, so it definitely will be fun reading new ones that I have never heard of or read and rereading ones I already know and maybe get some new learning or a different perspective on it. I'm really excited for the storytelling part of this class. I like the fact I will have a class where I can write stories and not have a bunch of writing format rules to follow....🙃 It will also be fun to be able to comment and get to know new people from class. This class will also be a good chance to find out more about technology I don't know much about. Overall, I am mostly excited for this class, but I am kind of nervous about the project part. I know it will be fun and creative, but I'm nervous about keeping track of everything. The way the class is set up should help me manage everything though. Also, this class should be a good source of self-care for me this semester, since I have a very emotionally charged internship at Child Welfare. 

Typewriter Photo

(Source: Pixabay link- Typewriter Mechanical Retro - Free photo on Pixabay )

Growth Mindset Opinions

 So as I watched the TED talk by professor Carol Dweck on growth mindset, I really got interested in it. As a child, I was in a school that did not challenge me and did not provide a growth mindset environment. There were also other students who would just give up and not continue to grow. If there had been this kind of environment, I would have been challenged more and the kids who were struggling would have been able to achieve more. While there are state standards that schools have to upkeep, I think that there are more creative ways we could incorporate this way of thinking. I also appreciated when she was talking about making "Challenge the new comfort zone." I want to try to be more like this in my own personal life and academic life so that I grow in more than just good grades.

 

Growth Mindset Infographic

(Source: Accredited Online Training link- https://www.aot.edu.au/infographics/fixed-vs-growth-mindset/?epik=dj0yJnU9dk9lWDRkelY2UWFWR09kVWVja2dMZk0zY1FLT0NSUjYmcD0wJm49a09kblJQQUVHRjdQMkM0WHJobUNSQSZ0PUFBQUFBR0FUUnQ4 ) 

Introduction to a Jesus Loving Southern Future Social Worker

So, I guess we can start with my name! 😅 My name is Lauren and I'm a current student at OU. I'm from a little town in Tennessee called Jasper. I moved to Oklahoma for college and to start my career. I love Jesus, my family (bio and non-bio!), and my life. I love to read, listen to music, and watch Disney movies. I'm also a nerd who loves fanfiction, cosplay, comics, etc. I'm really excited and nervous about this semester (the last 2 semesters have been kinda chaotic!) because I graduate in May and have A LOT on my plate...3 classes, a part-time job, 12 hours of an internship a week, ministry work, and personal and spiritual life to keep up.... not really that busy....right??!! Even though it is kinda hectic and stuff right now, I love my crazy life. I'm so blessed to have people who love me, mentors who believe in me, and a God who has great plans for me. 

More about my family:

I am the oldest of three girls. My mom and sisters still live in our hometown. I have one beautiful niece, that keeps us on our toes and laughing. (And she's only 8 months old!) We are super close. Also, since moving here to Oklahoma I have created a whole other part of my family. I have a best friend that "adopted" me and brought me into her family and extended family. I now am blessed to have 3 godchildren, who are all under the age of 3 and are all siblings! (Talk about exhausted parents...😂) I also have been taken in as part of the family by my host family who has been so generous and gracious to me throughout my time at OU. They have supported me like no other through everything. So, as you can see, I'm really blessed! 

My 8 month old niece Tahlia! (Source: personal family photo taken Janurary 15, 2020)

My three God Children from left to right: Holten, Lincoln, and Gracia. (Source: Personal Family Photo taken November 2020)

My time at OU:

I am a senior in my last semester of the social work bachelor's program. I am also a part of the Child Welfare Enhancement Program (CWPEP), which means I intern at Child Welfare in Norman and will be working for them full time starting in the summer of 2021. I love to help people and see them rise up from crises and I love to see families come together. I want to see families and children heal and work towards a better future for them and our communities. My last two years at OU learning how to do that has been amazing.  I have met so many new people and learned so much. (And that's not even counting what I've learned in class!) Though the last few semesters have been hard, I'm proud of how the OU students, faculty, and community have come together. I can't wait to see what my last semester holds! BOOMER SOONER!!! 

One of my first days on OU campus! 

(Source: Personal Photo taken August 2019)

A little bit more about my faith: 

I love Jesus and am a Christian. I live to serve Him with everything in me and try my hardest to live the way He did when He lived on Earth. I've been involved in ministry for about 6 or 7 years now. I have been a youth leader (teaching and mentoring teenagers), a Sunday school teacher to toddlers, a children's pastor, and now am a mentor to young adults and other college students. It's been great to be able to work in ministry and see and learn from so many people. I think, especially from the children, I have learned more than I could ever teach over the years. 

A group picture from church camp back in 2018...do I look as exhausted as I felt chasing around 9 teenage girls all week??? (Source: Personal Photo of the Victory Faith Center Youth Group at Church Camp July 2018)

All about my favorite things:

So, I'm basically a fan of a lot of different books, shows, and comics. I love Disney, DC, mythology, fairytales, etc. I love to read. I like how a book can just transport you to a completely different world without you having to move a muscle. I love music. Since I'm from Tennessee, I do have a soft spot for country music. I also listen to different genres in Christian music (Christian rap, pop, southern gospel, contemporary, etc.) I also like R&B, Rap, Oldies, etc., it just depends on my mood. One of my favorite things to do is hang out with people. I'm a very social person. My favorite foods are Italian and Chinese. Lastly, my favorite color is red. Anymore favorites you want to know, just ask! 

Welp....after a very lengthy blog post....

Clipart

 (Source: Vector Cliparts link: https://pixy.org/584218/ )

Storybook Favorites

 So, I just want to say first off I had a lot of fun with looking through the different storybooks from past students and will definitely be going back to read the others. I really like Disney, Greek, Roman, and Norse mythology, Bible stories, and fairytales that have a twist to them. I am also a HUGE fan of the show Once Upon a Time. So, with all that being said I am so excited for this class and this assignment! Here are a list of the 3 stories I chose as my favorites:

1.) Peter Pan: Revisited

link: Jake's Storybook (google.com)

This storybook's title caught my eye because of it being about Peter Pan. I'm a fan of fairytales, Disney, and twisted fairytales, so I was eager to look into this one. The title really explained the story well and tells the reader what it's about. The introduction was laid out in an interesting way, in my opinion. It explains that the author is acting as the audience and will bring them along for the ride during an interview with characters like the notoriously known Capitan Hook. I also really liked the lay out. It was serious and gave a darker feel to the story than usually what the original Disney would be portrayed as. 

2.) The Gods and Goddesses of Daily Life 

link: Minor Olympians (google.com)

I really liked this one because, as I mentioned, I love Greek mythology and twisted stories. I appreciated that the author chose to focus on minor goddesses that we do not hear much of. I also liked that this writer used Janus, another minor god, to narrate the story. I do think the story could have been styled a bit more, but I really liked the content of it. The author also used an unique way in wrapping everything up that I appreciated. 

3.) Disney's Grim Grinning Ghosts 

link: Disney's Grim Grinning Ghosts (google.com)

This storybook stood out to me originally because it's title had the word "Disney" in it. When I started reading it, I was very entertained by it. I have only been to Disney World, not Disneyland but was excited to hear ghost stories about some familiar fun rides I knew. I appreciated that they put so much creativity into the stories. I liked how the author's notes wrapped everything up, as well. The layout was also impressive and I liked that they used pictures from the rides in it. 

Sneak Peek into my own ideas for my storybook! 

(Source: zuko1312 on Flikr. This is  a snap shot of a promotional postcard used for the show "Once Upon a Time" link:OUAT Promo Postcard | SDCC 2016 | zuko1312 | Flickr )

So as I mentioned at the beginning of this post, I am a HUGE fan of the TV show Once Upon a Time. (I even got to meet Lana Parrilla, a star from the show! 😆😄😆) Sadly, the show ended and left a lot of fo stories hanging. One of the arcs I feel like they didn't fill out enough was "The Land of Untold Stories." So maybe I will do something with that? 🤷 Stay tuned to find out in a few weeks! 😁

 My Favorite Places

I have two favorite places I wanted to make sure to mention in this post. They both mean a lot to me and have given me great memories. One is relatively new to me and hopefully will become my future hometown in a year or two and the other is my original hometown where I grew up.

1. Charleston, South Carolina 

A few years ago my best friend, her husband, and her two children moved to Charleston, SC from Midwest City, OK. Since they had to move for work, we all promised that I would visit regularly. Well, in the last 2 years I have been to Charleston quite a bit. I spent Thanksgiving in 2019, three months in quarantine there in 2020, and went back for Thanksgiving again in 2020. I have had such a good time learning the area and exploring it each time I go. The houses and buildings there are beautiful, the culture is rich, and the people are so friendly and welcoming there. I also love the slow and relaxed feel of the south, since that is what I was raised in. I plan to move there in about a year to a year and a half because I love the community so much. 

Source: Live Oaks - Boone Hall Plantation Charleston, SC | IMG_6323 | happypoon1 | Flickr

This is the drive in to the famous Boone Hall Plantation. It is lined with live oaks that have stood there for hundreds of years. 

(Image by: happypoon1 on flikr, link above)

One of the many historic homes in downtown Charleston.

(Source: Personal Photo taken during a tour of downtown, November 2020)

2. Marion County, Tennessee

My second favorite place is where I am from and where I grew up. I am from a small town called Jasper in East Tennessee. Although I'm from Jasper, the other small towns in the county essentially seem to make it feel like one bigger town. My home is way out in the middle of what some people would call the "boonies." It really brings the whole feeling of the small southern town to life. It's surrounded by mountains, everyone knows everyone else, and it has that laid-back easy lifestyle of the south. Growing up, I have so many memories in so many places all over the county. I visit there often as my mother, sisters, and other relatives still live there. Every time I visit I am given such a sense of nostalgia and thankfulness for all the memories I have made. 

The "cove," one of the many places we used to swim at during the summers. Complete with a rope for swinging off of into the water. (Source: Personal Photo taken June 21, 2015)

This is a picture of the old memorial bridge that went across Nickajack Lake. It was right down the road from where I grew up. They eventually took down the bridge because it was aging. 

(Source: File:MarionMemorialBridgeGuildTN.jpg - Wikimedia Commons)

These are my favorite places! One is where I started and one is where I hope to be live one day. Where are you favorite places? I can't wait to see what everyone else's is! :)  

My First Post

 Testing out for my blog on my first post. 

Mythological Scribbles

A blog for my class. 

It will have posts, images, links, etc.