Time Strategies!

Honestly, I'm pretty good at organizing my time. I don't like being overwhelmed, so I tend to work ahead whenever possible so I can stay on top of everything. staying ahead means less stress for me and then I have more time to do what I want, so it's a win-win. I know that I plan a schedule for this class, but I kind of just do things when I can, though sticking to that schedule if I'm not ahead of it would be best!

Eat The Frogs First Thing in The Morning (And Other Better Work Habits) by Thomas Oppong

I read this one last semester and I wanted to be reminded of it again. I really try to follow this advice when I can. I think it makes getting through the day so much easier when you do the more difficult task first and then go from there. I like doing my tasks when I'm at work (I just answer phones, it's not that big of a deal) and then i'm done for the day! I don't do procrastination well, so it's just easier for me to do everything immediately and then relax the rest of the day. I'm also the most awake in the morning, so it's nice! Highly encourage others to follow this advice!

How Checklists Train Your Brain To Be More Productive And Goal-Oriented by Lauren Marchese

I love checklists. I'm also a deeply paranoid person, so I like having it in writing that I have in fact completed a task. It works for my anxiety and for getting things done. I'm absolutely the person this article was written about. I love making lists and checking things off of it. It really does help keep you on track. It also helps you take things on in a more manageable capacity.

They understand the joy of checklists (Needpix)

Technology!

I think that it's great that we use so many different platforms for this course. It allows us to become familiar with many different websites outside of Canvas, which kind of has its own expiration date. After graduation, I don't anticipate on ever using it again, there's no reason to. It's nice to be learning different websites that we could potentially be using a lot more of in the future!

I'm mostly familiar with the programs mentioned here. I've never used Twine before, though I have heard of it. it sounds fun. I'm pretty versed, or versed enough, in image editing and things of that nature, so I think I'm good to go! I've used a blog before, so navigating Blogger is of no concern to me either. I'm going to try using different websites this time around and hopefully become accustomed to using those as well.

It's great that all of our reading materials are free! Free educational materials are so excellent! In academia, high textbook prices make the knowledge inaccessible, but by having them all online and freely available is so helpful! I definitely wish more of my classes did this. I spent a pretty penny on textbooks this semester unfortunately.

This online environment is different than any course I've taken, but I think that it encourages both interaction and creativity from everyone involved. I found it easier to interact with my classmates in the past through this platform and I found it more fun to share my work as well. I'm not sure quite what it is about it, but it's just... I like it better than other online environments. Maybe it's the freedom from Canvas. I don't know. Anyway, I'm looking forward to using old and new websites! Should be a fun time. :)

Maybe technology could do this someday (Pixabay)

Assignments!

I'm fairly sure that I've mentioned this already, but I was in the Indian Epics section last semester, so I am pretty familiar with the layout of this course. I love the way the extra credit is designed. It's so helpful when you either want to get ahead or accidentally miss an assignment. It's been really useful during my time here. I'd like to start right off the bat by taking advantage of the many extra credit opportunities available! My favorite ones were the extra readings. I just like reading. I think they're fun. 

I'm interested in the new extra credit options! They sound very interesting and fun to try! I probably won't try the one where you talk about your own life because I... don't like talking about my own life, but maybe! I would be interested in reading it as told from other people, however. I love the short story one. Was it Hemingway that popularized the 6 word story? "For sale: Baby shoes, never worn"? I love that. It sounds like a fun challenge. It really makes you be deliberate with word choice. 

I'm excited to start working on my project as well! I think that was my favorite part of last semester. I don't have any idea what I want to do yet, but I'd like to try something lighthearted. I always have the most fun writing things of that nature. I don't know! I guess we'll see. 

The way the class is structured makes it fairly easy to get ahead if that's something you want to do, so I'm hoping to get a strong start! I think it'll help in my other classes as well if I am able to just get ahead everywhere. It makes me less stressed and less worried about deadlines. 

Some files, possibly for storing assignments? (ACC)

Growth Mindset: A Few Thoughts

I've already seen the videos laid out in the original assignment, so I opted to watch two videos from the growth mindset playlist and comment on those instead!

Ken Robinson on Flourishing by The RSA

I liked the cats in the video a lot. Those little guys were a nice touch. I always enjoy videos with illustrations going on in the background. As for the message itself, I agree. It can be difficult to progress when you don't know what you want to do, but many people don't actually know that answer for themselves, so it becomes quite difficult moving forward. I believe most of finding your passion comes from just doing what you like. If you have even a tiny inkling that something might bring you joy, it might be worth pursuing. Talents are hard to spot, but they just take time. No one has to have one overnight. They need time to be nurtured and develop.

The "Boggart" Scene from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

I read all of the books/watched the movies growing up, so it's nice seeing this scene included in a different kind of way! On the surface, it's just about a magical creature, but a little bit deeper it's facing your fears and shaping them into something else. It's a useful strategy in any scenario that in which someone might be afraid of something. If you can just turn it into something a little bit less fearsome, it might be easier to manage. I never noticed the useful advice in this scene when I was younger, but I doubt that this was an unintentional message. I'm glad to come across it again in a newer light!

We can always find room to learn in grow. In an academic setting, it's easier to apply these things, at least I feel like. I'm always eager to find new ways to approach learning. In the day to day life, I can see change being a tad daunting as we can become set in our ways at times, but it's crucial to grow thrive. I'm interested to see what new techniques I'll be able to find this semester.

Do what the flowers do and grow! (Wikimedia Commons)

Introduction to an Aspiring Criminologist

Nice to meet you! I'm Ryeli and it's pronounced like "Riley." I know that my name will post on here as Ryeli Beth, which technically my first name too? I was named after Beth in Little Women. You know, the one that got scarlet fever. It's fine. I'm also named after my cousin, but I think this story is funnier. Oh, the Greta Gerwig adaptation was really good! 

I'm a senior and my major is criminology. I love it. I feel like sociology/criminology are so important for social issues today. When you can understand the circumstances behind someone's life and how little issues really tend to shape an individual, you tend to foster a lot more empathy, which I think is important for any person to have, but especially in the work I'd like to do. Ideally, I would like to do work with the wrongfully convicted, but I also might like teaching! I'm not sure, but I do feel compelled to help others in some capacity. 

If I were not doing something criminology related, I would like to move to a little field in Colorado or someplace similar, have a large dog, and maybe write short stories about animals doing people things. I think that sounds fun and relatively stress free! 

I really like Dolly Parton. That's a big thing for me. We have the same birthday. It's all very exciting. I would talk about her more, but I will stop now. Besides Miss Dolly, I listen to a lot of dramatic, avant-garde pop-ish music. Think Kate Bush, MUNA, Caroline Polachek, Britney, etc. 

I'm running out of things to say. I don't know what things I actually do when faced with the question. Please someone relate to this. 

I have two dogs, Shay and Faith. They're gremlins and I adore them. 

If given the option between glitter or no glitter, I will always choose glitter (as long as it's biodegradable and safe to be worn on the eyes!) I am no stranger to makeup and fashion. One might say that it consumes my life, but in a fun way!

I love all shades of pink. It's my favorite color. I don't think this will surprise anyone. 

This is my last semester, so I'm sort of just having fun and finding adventures where I can! I hope all of your semesters go well and are super blessed! xoxo 

I couldn't find a picture of both of them together, but here's Shay doing Evil Things (opening Christmas presents early) 

WEEK 1- Storybook Favorites

Tragically Ever After

The title alone was enough to draw me into reading this storybook. I think it does a great job of telling the reader what to expect from the stories published. The topic itself is one that I'm fairly familiar with. I've always seen fairytales from both a light and dark perspective, so a darker approach isn't entirely new for me, but I always love seeing the spin others do on them! The writing style is beautiful. My favorite one was the one about Cinderella. I do like the love at first sight thing, but I agree it can be silly. Looking at its consequences and realizing that you don't truly know someone off a look alone was a nice touch and callout for the original work.

Queen of the Underworld

I like Persephone a lot and figured from the title that it might have an inkling to do with her. The way the story is written is very fun and easy to follow. I like that we get to know so many of Persephone's personal thoughts outside of the regular point of view that it's written in. I was surprised to read a story about Orpheus and Eurydice here. I think their story is so... sad. I think it's beautifully sad though. I always want him to make it out, but he never quite makes it there, poor boy. I like how it focused on Hades and Persephone's relationship. It did a great job of showing off Persephone!

Alexa, How Do I Get to Canterbury

I thought the title was funny, so I clicked it. I know a little bit about Canterbury Tales, but not much, so I was excited to find out more! I like the layout of the website. The images chosen feel very warm and homely to me. I think trains in general make me feel this way, but I digress. I like that the stories are written sort of in a verse(?) format. I really don't know what the appropriate work for this format is, but its enjoyable. I appreciate that the author took the time to rhyme and tried to stick to Chaucer's original themes. It shows a lot of dedication.

I've taken the Indian Epics course, so I sort of already know what to expect in terms of how to structure my storybook/portfolio, but I'm excited to see what I'll end up with in this myth-folklore!

Royal Storybook (Good Free Photos)

WEEK 1- Favorite Place: NYC

I've been twice now to the greatest city in the world and I have to say that, yeah, New York City is pretty great. I love everything about it from the fast paced environment to the diverse groups of people and even the subways rats (I had the honor of finding two last visit.) There's something for everyone.

The one and only, Radio City Music Hall. Photo by yours truly (which is why the quality is bad)

My friends and I somehow managed to get tickets to Jimmy Fallon, which was pretty cool. I'd put a picture of that, but I don't have any. They're pretty strict about the whole "no pictures or we'll sue" thing. You can kind of see the entrance to NBC in the right corner, but only barely. I don't know much about television, but it's always fun to learn about! 

I am a Chanel girl. Sorry about it. I love SoHo. (The picture quality looks better on my phone I promise omg I am sorry...)

I'm very into designer pieces (though I don't purchase often or ever,) so I love going to this area. Fashion is so fun and special to me. Oklahoma doesn't have as many places as I would like, especially in ways of resale or vintage, so I adore the shopping here as well. I got to hold a pair of Margiela Tabi boots in my hands, the ones that look like hooves... it was a big moment for me. 

I'm in the middle hehe. Waitress was great. We saw it with Katharine McPhee

Lastly, I'm a huge theatre fan and Broadway is a thing that happens here. It's a lot of fun. This time we saw Waitress and Hadestown. Also, we waited by the stage door for signatures and got a picture with Reeve Carney, which I would show you, but I was not very cute, so pass! It was a nice experience though. You can always tell how much love and care goes into each of the shows from the sound design to the lighting and band work, it's all so beautiful. I love this method of storytelling. 

I truly think NYC is so much fun to go to and just adventure for a little while. Everything feels more exciting there. Admittedly, I feel less immune to the array of bright lights and all of the usual things people talk about with NYC, I just find it to be... cozy somehow. There's something nice about no one knowing who you are and being surrounded by people who are all doing their own thing, not paying attention to you. It's a humble reminder that we're all quite small, but it feels warm to me knowing that. Hopefully, I'll be back soon :)

Manhattan (Pixabay)