Growth is a Mindset

After watching the videos posted from Carol Dweck about 'Growth Mindset,' got me to think about what my psychologist talked with me about during one of our sessions.  I think it is healthy to talk with someone about how to better improve the way we think about ourselves and others.

She told me that she noticed a recurring theme in each of our sessions and those were about not coping well with failing and/or just completely avoiding it altogether.  Because I do so, I have fear of failure.  It is apparent in my generation and those that are around my age in general.  I fear failure in a sense that I would rather not do a task if I know I will fail at it in the end or if I am afraid that I will, because I may think something is too hard or I am embarrassed about what others may think of me so I tend to avoid the task completely.  I freeze and I freak out on the inside.  This all applies to when I am taking a course at school.  I tend to try and find the classes that I can 'breeze' through or not have so much work that I have to think about it.  I even avoid certain classes that involve discussing the topics given each week and/or presenting certain material to the class, because I am afraid of embarrassing myself by appearing unknowledgeable in the topic or just plain dumb.

I can truthfully say and believe that I am at a fixed-growth mindset and I really do want to learn more about this subject in order to improve the way I think about growth and learning.  This has peaked my interest since I came across the realization of how I view myself and my capabilities.  Currently I am still battling having to change the way I am thinking about how I can improve the way I view my classes, because I know one class in particular this semester that I am not so excited about.  I am not interested to the point of letting go of the class, this is in part because of my fear of not passing the class anyway and just plain embarrassing myself because I may not keep up with the readings and/or just appear interested in the topic at all.  This applies to not exactly knowing where my goals during this semester in my courses will lead.  I just hope and pray for the right answer.

(Finding Inspiration.  (Somewhere in Twitter).)

Time Strategies

So...I have taken a class previously about 'Time Management', literally.  It seemed like a common knowledge type course and something that people should already know...but...there is definitely much more to it than just making time for things.  It is an emotional roller coaster of all things.

I am victim to stressing out about not having enough time to do anything and always being busy, no matter what I think I do.  In all reality, I am not as busy, I just stress about the thoughts of being 'busy'.  I chose to read "The Myth of "Too Busy"" by Tim Grahl and he makes a good point about tweaking how to view and think about being 'busy'.  My cousin-in-law has even suggested something similar, where I just make time for specific things that are important and note those that can be done later.  So I agree that prioritizing and thinking about how to manage my time for specific things should be my main focus and be simpler than I take it to be.

That is my main issue this semester and overall in my life.  I basically took a semester off last semester, because I felt "too busy" and I felt overwhelmed with all that I need to do on a daily basis.  Mind me that I had two jobs, WAS in two different schools before dropping the classes in one of them and just continuing the others, while also finding time to take care of my pup and help my parents around the house.  After dropping my classes, I wrote everything out that I had to do or need to do currently and in the future, it apparently wasn't and isn't too much; I just over think and believe that it is.  I don't give myself a breather in the right way and the article mentions social media as an 'outlet' yet a toxic one in reality, and that is my reality.  

I am still trying to find a way to manage a lot of my time and prioritize, especially for the spontaneous situations that occur.  It is a tough road, but I will eventually find the right strategy/strategies to manage my life in general.

(Time Management)  Wikipedia Commons.

Reading Options: Week 2 and More!

     The reading unit that I chose for Week 2 is that of "Apuleius's Cupid and Psyche"; the subunits for Reading A: Her Dream and Reading B: Psyche's Prayer.

I specifically chose this unit for next week's reading, because love stories have always fascinated me. Whether they be tragic or romantic, even tragically romantic.  The tale of the God of love himself, along with one of the prettiest princesses there was, couldn't have caught my attention more.  In each of these readings, I notice a sense of vulnerability.  I can understand the overwhelming feeling.  I'm sure anyone can, though it shouldn't be shunned, but embraced and empathized.

     The next unit I found intriguing was that of "The Life of Buddha"; subunits of Reading A: The Great Truths and Reading B: The Tree of Knowledge.

Religion has tugged on my ear from time to time.  I am a raised and baptized as a Christian by my mother's side, though my father is Buddhist himself.  To this day, I share a household of two thoughts and morals that have worked as one.  So this is something that is slightly old and new for me, although I would like to understand The Life of Buddha in great depth through these tales.

     Lastly, my country...my parent's home..this unit spoke to me the most just by the seeing the country and I'm glad that it was an option: "Folklore of Laos"; subunits of Reading A: The Man in the Moon and Reading B: The Justice of In Ta Pome.

Of course, as I have stated above, I am a proud Laotian so I could not resist seeing what stories have been told.  I knew nothing of these stories until I was able to read them not too long ago.  They definitely have strong morals that make one think.  These stories truly teach us many great values to obtain and never take advantage of.  They are like some of the superstitions my parents told me as a child to this day as a grown lady.

                                                                                   

(With culture there is love, with love there is culture.  Flickr.)

3 of My Storybook Favorites

A few of my Favorite Storybooks are:

"Setting the Record Straight" || My Brothers Grimm: The Diary of the Only Grimm Sister.

I chose this story as one of my favorite Storybooks seen and read so far, because I actually enjoy these types of horror, fairy tales.  My boyfriend and I actually watch the show, Grimm, on Netflix or on T.V. when a new episode airs.  What particularly intrigued me about this story is the twist of the Grimm Brothers having a sister.  The title helped me decide whether I wanted to read this or not, mostly the words "Grimm Sister."  I personally know what it is like to have two older brothers and be somewhat in the shadows.  Introducing the series was definitely done creatively.  I always preferred first-person style writing.  The entire layout of the storybook also gives me some thought into how I'd like to do mine, it is surely much bolder than I would have done mine.  It suits the main character's personality well!

"Draug's Story" || Diary of the Undead: Global Edition.

I seem to enjoy the style of journal writing/posting.  One reason why I chose this type of story was based on the 'undead' aspect.  I love anything zombie/undead from the famous, The Walking Dead to Resident Evil.  Some of the classics are pretty good, but they still get to me on the inside.. The introduction conveyed the series very well and enough to leave you wanting more.  I specifically chose this story because it was the first of many and the way the author utilized the diary format along with the dates, such as, '846 AD.'  It gives a type of eerie yet realistic sensation.  The most unique of all layouts, I would have to say, is this one and I'm slightly gearing towards this style.

"Me and the Wolf" || A Daily Recount of My Ruff Life.

Last, but not least, I am ending my list of favorites with this sweet and conniving first-person, narrative.  I can automatically relate to her series, because I too have a pup.  Well not so much a pup anymore, but still a pup; he is officially one years old today!  I chose to discuss this last, because it caught my attention through other reviews that previous students had written.  The humorous aspect also brought me closer and I can truly see why.  By far one of the most creative styles and the layout is kept simple and fresh, perfect all around for anyone who would like to read about a little dog's adventure! 👏

                                     

From "Me and the Wolf."  A hilarious creation! Source. FaceInHole.

Week 1 Story: The Fox Against Himself

One cold snowy evening, there was a fox that needed a place to sleep without any disturbances.  A place for solitude and hiding.  What is he hiding from?

"Look! Over there!"  The hunter shouts, pointing towards a rubble of garbage outside of a tavern.

The sly fox then dips under the building and finds a pile of hay where he can lay restlessly.  "I hope I've lost them.." The fox thinks to himself.  Huffing and puffing, he finally relaxes and drifts into a deep sleep.

In his deep slumber he fidgets his legs as if he is dreaming a wild, uncontrollable dream; more so having a nightmare now as he howls as loud as can be.  His eyes and his body jolt up!  He realizes it was only a dream and he is back to reality.  A reality where he is trapped.

Upon waking up, he anxiously jumps out of the hay stack and searches for an escape.  "The woods are my best bet.." He tells himself.  Dashing towards the woods, he runs and runs until he can not see the town any longer.

Looking back behind him, he bumps into a cabin.  As he falls to his side, he looks up to his right and sees the cabin.  "Perfect..I hope nobody is inside."  He slyly enters the cabin, making sure no one is around, he sniffs the air.  "Even better...the place to myself."

                                                                                     

'

Cabin in the Woods.  Flickr.

Trotting the cabin leisurely, he notices the entire area is filled with many props and costumes.  Clumsy as the Fox is, he knocks his shoulder against a table and there drops a few items.  He jumps back, snarling..."Grrrr..." showing his teeth and licking his mouth ever so intently.."Show yourself!" He shouts.  Nothing happens.

He slowly walks up to the table, assuming someone is sitting around the table, hiding from him; he thinks to himself, "How did I miss their scent?  I still can't smell anything.."

He inches closer and closer....he jumps up, with his two front paws against the edge of the table and barks!  To the Fox's surprise and pleasure, it is just a mask.  Next to the mask, a mirror.  Seeing himself angry, yet relieved, the Fox pushes off the table and walks away.

                                                                                   

Mask of Beauty.  Flickr.

Sullenly, he asks himself, "Why are people so afraid of me?!  I will never understand."  He walks further away from the mask, this time not looking back.


Author's Note:  This story was quite a difficult one to convey, especially in the right way.  Well..there is not right way, though for me, it didn't feel right unless I could tell it the way that seemed close enough.  The original story is complex in itself and short.  The Fox is fearless, yet he scares himself by seeing something that he thinks is threatening.  It is only a Mask and yet he wished it were a real person, possibly for food or just because it wasn't what it seemed to be.  I came to writing my version in terms that, nothing is always as it seems on the outside as it is on the inside.  People and animals are all different.  Different from each other, from within.  People can be afraid of things that they shouldn't have to be afraid of, without experience or even proof.  It can affect themselves or even the ones that are 'supposedly' scary/strange.

Bibliography:  "The Fox and the Mask" from the Fables of Aesop by Joseph Jacobs.  Web Source.

Introduction to an Over-Thinking Dreamer

Hello to All..

The name is Avida Nola and I am a Senior Psychology major.  I already have my Associates in Psychology from Oklahoma City Community College as well as recently receiving my Medical Office Administration certificate in the Fall of 2016.  With that certification, I currently work at an Accident Care and Treatment Center in their Business Office department.  I plan to finish my complete Bachelor's Degree this Fall 2017...hopefully..

I am not quite sure where it will lead me once I am done, but this current position is a start to something.

I am a dreamer that gets lost in countless movies...I would say books, but movies are a fast-track version of books and I seem to carry enough time for those compared to reading.  Although I would love to get back into reading whenever my life allows me to.

My current obsession in films are the most recent ones: Passengers and La La Land.  Movies that make you think post-watch are definitely what intrigue me the most.  They may not be to others liking, but I sure do enjoy the sad, nostalgic kind of films.

Music speaks to my soul the way that movies do.  It's a wonder why I didn't mention it earlier.  It flows through my family, mainly my father who used to be in a band with his brothers and sister.  They are uber talented and they all practically learned instruments by ear, especially my dad.  The younger ones were lucky enough to learn it aside from doing so by ear.  I wish I was just as artsy as them, but one can dream.

Other than watching movies at home and going to the movies on my spare-time and listening to music, whenever the weather permits, I enjoy a mean rally of tennis.  I've played ever since I was nine years old, up until college and work prevented me from playing.

                                                                               

Beautiful tennis courts.  Flickr.

Aside from playing tennis as an activity, I also go to the gym whenever I have time after work or even before the break of dawn.  Because I enjoy exercising as much as I can, I am pretty interested in Nutrition, Health and Exercise.  Other than feeling and looking great, it is important to understand what the body is consuming and how it will affect you in the long run.

Traveling is also one that I have to add into my list of activities.  I crave for the adventure and experience of different cultures and societies.  I can even settle for just traveling within the states.  This country is so big, there is so much that it has to offer us.

                                                                                   

Ending this note with a picture of one of the loves of my life.  Theodore Tubby at your service 😍.

Just a Couple of My Favorite Places...

CHICAGO

This city has always been one of my favorite go to places to visit. I have family there and they are all the more reason to go see and explore with, especially with my cousin, whom is the exact same age as me.  It may be a busy and wild city, but that's what makes it Chicago!  I have been there more than I can remember; at some point, each visit started meshing together.  Every time I go, it's like I never left and it's basically a second home to me.

If you've never been....please GO!  As many times as I've been there, I still have yet to conquer the city...

                                                                                  

A photo I captured as my cousins and I walked by the Chicago River downtown!

SAN ANTONIO

Another new found favorite place of mine would be the ever so lovely San Antonio.  My cousin (much like a big sister to me) moved out there about a year ago and my brothers, my boyfriend, little cousin and I decided to visit her one fine weekend in June.  I instantly fell in love with the chaos that it brought.  My family decided to celebrate Christmas there this past year, because my cousin felt the same and bought a house.  We weren't wrong for enjoying what this city has to offer.  

If you haven't visited here either, DO SO!  It is just as vibrant as Chicago!

                                                                                

San Antonio's famous River Walk that attracts many tourists!  Flickr.

If these pictures don't reel you in, then I don't know what will!!! 😄👍