Class Assignments

As I've mentioned several times already, reading is one of my favorite pastimes. I like being swept up into another world and leaving this one for a while. So I think I'll be looking forward to the Reading parts of the class each week. From what I've seen of the previous projects, there are so many different ways to go. The openness is great, but at the same time, it's a little scary having to tap into my creative side, but I think it will be interesting. I also like that we're working on our Storybooks all semester, so you get a chance to fine-tune it and add while you're still learning. I also definitely appreciate the extra credit. It adds some cushion in case one week becomes busy and I am unable to finish an assignment on time. It's also nice that they can be done at any time so I can build up some points when I have free time (if I don't procrastinate)!

A real-life storybook. (Image: Public Domain Pics)

Tech Tools

I've taken a few classes online before, but I've never had to do as much reading for them. It was usually just papers and online lectures, so I like that this class is a little more interactive. Of the different options, the only one that sounded familiar was Google Docs, a super useful tool. I'd never used the other sites before, so it was nice to see all the options available to help navigate the course. I liked the "Un-textbook" page. It was well organized and easy to find things. I love to read so the Freebookapalooza definitely caught my eye! I think I'll be using that link frequently for some interesting reads. Overall, I think once we get into the main work more, I'll get the hang of it all. Even though I've been using it for years, technology can still be very confusing. I appreciate all the resources we have to make our homework easier.

Serious business. Wikimedia Commons 

Time Strategies

Four Questions to Help You Overcome Procrastination
I really liked this article. Procrastination is one of my BIGGEST weaknesses. I love putting things off and then I end up hating myself later when I don't have enough time. Even with this assignment, of course, I put it off until the last day. I think the questions were thought-provoking, and I'm definitely going to try some of these out. I think getting started is one of the hardest parts, so I'll try using that tip. Hopefully, they work and I'll stay on top of everything!

Food for Thought. (Ignore the grammatical errors) (Image: Flickr)

The Psychology of Checklists
With how much I plan, it's hard to believe how much I procrastinate. Making lists is one of my favorite things to do. I like organizing and having all my thoughts on one page. It makes me feel like I have my life together. Do I stick to the checklist? Rarely, but I like to think it's the thought that counts :) I've been trying to be more motivated and actually follow the list. I totally agree with the article that it's a great feeling when you finish everything and give yourself that mental gold star! Like I said earlier, I'm really hoping I can improve that this year!

Growth Mindset 1

I had never heard of Carol Dweck before, but "growth mindset" does ring a bell from some of my sociology courses. I liked that the school put "Not Yet" instead of an F. It makes the lack of a good grade seem more bearable. I was surprised to hear that kids would resort to cheating to get a good grade, but I understand it. I've read a few articles that say kids feel a lot more pressure to get good grades now, and that makes them resort to dishonesty. I've also read that when asked what they want the most, a lot of teenagers said that they value praise. I agree that even a small compliment or word of encouragement can go a long way. That being said, constructive criticism is important too, but it shouldn't be used to discourage. I am definitely interested in learning more about the growth mindset. It's important to stay positive and believe that you can achieve your goals as long as you don't give up. It's also important to realize that plans can change, and you can try new things as long as you end up happy. This cat illustrates it much better than me.

Discovery is a messy ordeal. Image: Growth Mindset Memes Blog

Introduction to a Fairly Normal Gal

My name is Jency, and I'm a junior majoring in Chemical Biosciences with a double minor in Social Sciences and Criminology. I was born and raised in Yukon, Oklahoma where my parents still live. I have an older sister who lives in Houston, TX. She has three adorable kids who are my life. I got to visit them over Christmas break and it was definitely the best part. My nieces are 10 and 5, and my nephew is turning 2 this weekend. The saddest part always is leaving them because we don't get to visit often. I work part-time as a medical scribe in OKC, and it's definitely been a learning experience. Thankfully, I've been able to balance school and work fairly well so far.

Reading is one of my favorite hobbies, but I rarely have time for it anymore. I love reading mystery novels, usually by Agatha Christie. I'm also a huge romantic, so I've read nearly every romance novel in my library. I also liked The Princess Diaries and Eragon back in high school. The only reading I do now is from my textbooks, sadly.

Eragon is the first book in a series by Christopher Paolini. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)

As far as TV shows and movies go, I like basically anything except for horror. I do not like to be scared, but I do like action and superhero films. It is a real struggle to keep up with all my TV shows and school and work, but I think I make it work. Friends is my favorite show of all time, followed closely by the Office and Grey's Anatomy. I also play piano and sing as part of the worship team at church, which is great. I have been wanting to learn how to play the guitar, but I don't think that will be happening anytime soon. 

I haven't really visited a lot of places, except for India, where I went last summer. It was a lot of fun, but the heat and humidity were unbearable. I could not wait to come home to A/C and cooler weather. Aside from Houston, my parents and I haven't traveled to many states here. We do have plans to go to Disneyworld this summer, but we have a history of plans falling through at the last minute, so I'm really hoping this one sticks! 

I do like cooking, but I normally stick to basic recipes. My sister and mom are the true cooks in the family. I'm simply the taste-tester, which I'm perfectly happy with. My favorite food is Italian food. I could eat pasta and pizza every day and be satisfied, but my mom makes mostly Indian food. 

I'm not really sure what I want to do with my life yet. I'm thinking about medical school, but I think graduate school is also a possibility. Hopefully, I figure it all out soon, but until then, I'm just trying to keep on swimming! I am excited about this class since it doesn't have any equations or reactions. I hope to learn a lot and have fun doing it!

My Favorite Storybooks

1. The Princess Constellations (https://sites.google.com/site/theprincessconstellations/introduction)
Ever since I was a little girl, I have loved princesses, so when I saw the word in the title, I immediately clicked on it. I thought the title was intriguing so I didn't really know what it was about until I clicked the introduction. I believe it was done well. I liked the idea of the stars looking down and telling the stories amongst themselves. I like the image, too, because it moved so the star seemed more lifelike. I liked that the background was dark like the night sky and the words were white like the stars, adding a little more depth.

(Image Information: Gold star 1256 by Alborzagros (2013). Web Source: Wikimedia Commons.)

2. How I Met Your Mother (https://sites.google.com/site/italianlovestory/robin-scherbatsky)

How I Met Your Mother is one of my favorite shows, and I still rewatch episodes today. I thought the Italian setting was a nice twist. I enjoyed the overall story and the similarities to the original show. I also liked how certain details were adjusted to fit the Italian theme and the mythological aspects. I liked the image of the cast, but I do wish there was an image of Italy to picture the setting a little better. I also liked the Italian phrases for the chapters and the colors were nice and simple. 

3. Legendary Creatures Speak Up (https://sites.google.com/site/ahumanencountersconvention)

I really enjoyed this story. I liked the topic, and how it was not only based on mythological creatures, but it also was based on their perceptions of us. It was entertaining, and I liked that the format was like a transcript of the conference. It made it seem more likely to be real, and the small details add humor, like the unicorn tapping the mic with his horn to test it. The format was nice, but since the setting was Hawaii, I imagined a background that had more color, like something tropical. Overall, I do think it was a solid effort and did a good job of keeping me engaged. 

Favorite Place- Dubai

My family is from India, so when we visit, we almost always make a stop in Dubai first. The airport alone is extravagant, but overall, Dubai is a beautiful place. I haven't spent a lot of time there, but it captures my attention every time we visit. I went last summer with my parents, and we could've spent hours walking around and taking in the sights if we didn't have another flight. Nighttime is the best time to go so you can take in all the lights which add another level of excitement! It's also a huge city, so I definitely get in all my steps by the end.

Dubai at night. 

Link for similar pictures and info: Pixabay