Growth Mindset

Prior to this post I had never heard of Carol Dweck or her Growth Mindset. To me, it seemed to be just an optimistic outlook on things at its roots. Not to oversimplify, but she mentions looking at challenges as an opportunity to grow in ways that you normally would not in your comfort zone. I think that really requires optimism. I believe that I move up and down the fixed-growth mindset spectrum with each of my classes. In the classes that I wholeheartedly enjoy I will look at a challenge as an opportunity to learn a lot more about something I am interested in. However, if it is in a class which I do not enjoy as much I will sometimes look at a challenge as an inconvenience. I would really like to try and apply a growth mindset for all of my classes this semester. I believe if I take a more optimistic view on classes from Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy to Native American Philosophy I'll enjoy my work and the classes a lot more. Who knows, I may even do better work in these classes.

By Laura Gibbs. Inspired by Bob Dylan's Forever Young. Source:Growth Mindset Memes

Starting the Semester

In order to start off the semester on a good note, I usually look ahead in the courses I'm taking and create a schedule so I know when tests and other important projects are due. Next, I buy a binder where I keep all papers, notes, or handouts I have for that class. 

Source: Flickr

Introduction to a Cotton Headed Ninny Muggins

Hey! My name is Chris Dillahunty, and I'm a senior here at the University of Oklahoma. I am originally from the small town of Mangum, OK. Don't be ashamed if you have no clue where that may be or have never even heard of it before. Believe me, you're not alone. My major is biology, and I hope to one day dig around in peoples' mouths for a living. As you may or may not have gathered from my blog's title, I'm a bit of a nerd. I wholly enjoy every minute of Game of Thrones (yes, even the Arya storyline), and am in the middle of reading the books now. I'm usually opposed to watching a show/movie regarding a book I intend to read before reading said book, but there are just some things that you have to make exceptions for. I am currently a server in a restaurant here in Norman. I laugh at jokes that aren't that funny. Most of my attempts at humor are sub par, and I regularly hear "It's not a good joke if you have to explain it." My hobbies are somewhat typical of a soon-to-be twenty two year old man. I spend a lot of my weekend nights during the school year at Seven 47, although I recommend Logies if you're ever up during the summer and are looking for a good time. Hiking is one of my favorite things to do outside. The physical challenge is a large part of the reason I love it, but the beautiful views, feeling of freedom, and general lack of cell service are nice as well. I consider myself pretty well-versed in most things music. Growing up, I listened to a blend of music from Billy Joel to Barenaked Ladies, the good ol' non-pop country, and most things R&B.

The original cotton headed ninny muggins. Source: YouTube

Reading Options

Source: The Rousing of Achilles

Homer's Iliad

I chose this for my week 2 reading because I have never gotten the chance to read it. I have, however, seen and love the movie Troy. I won't mind getting a bigger picture than what the movie tells.

Storybook Favorites

Secret Life of Titans

The Secret Life of Titans caught my eye because I have had a special place for Greek mythology since I was young. Hercules was one of my favorite movies growing up, and so once I was old enough to do a little reading and find out all of the cool (and sometimes disturbing) things which the Disney movie left out, that's just what I did. This storybook had an interesting way of retelling the old stories which I know or have heard of in a modern setting. The pictures used are quite different as well. If I had to guess, I would say that the houses in the picture are in a seaside town in Greece, although I would have to look a bit more online to be sure. It is very unique, and I look forward to diving into it a bit more.

The Doctor and His Rebels

I'd be lying if I said I hadn't been in a group conversation which happened to stray to Doctor Who once or twice. Despite hearing about how great of a show it is, and being a subscriber to Hulu which frequently advertises the show, I have not taken the time to start it. Maybe after a few of these stories I'll be too intrigued to put it off anymore.

Sea Monsters

A little over seventy percent of the Earth's surface is covered by water. In some places the oceans are miles deep. With an abyss as breathtakingly massive as that, it would be difficult for anyone not to imagine the horrors which could be lying just below the surface. This storybook seems something like a Frankenstein made up stories written by Jules Verne and H.P. Lovecraft, two of my favorite authors. The storybook also uses phenomenal graphics to sell its stories.

A beast, presumably the mythological Kraken, attacking a ship.  Source: Sea Monsters

Storytelling Week 1: Of Beetles and Vanity

Two Asian longhorned beetle adults on a maple tree. Source: Flickr

Two beetles were resting on a small branch. “I saw the most extraordinary thing last night!” exclaimed the female to the male. “There were others like us, except that their bodies had a beautiful glow to them.”

                The male, bristling with jealousy, replied, “I’m sure that they were not as special as you make them seem.”

                “Oh, but they were!” the female insisted. “They danced with such grace, and the way their bodies shone against the night sky was simply beautiful.”

                Feeling self-conscious, the male looked back at his dull, black outer shell. Suddenly, an idea came to him. “I’ll be right back,” he said, and proceeded to fly down to the small stream below the branch. The current of the stream was a bit too strong for him to just hop in, so he went to a place where it dropped off and was splashing onto a nearby rock. He promptly climbed onto the rock and waited for his shell to get wet. After a few droplets of water landed on him he felt sufficiently covered. Next, he flew back up to the small branch. “Now see, did they glisten as beautifully as I do right now?”

                The female looked at him for a moment then said, “Yes, they were still far prettier than your shiny wet shell.”

                A bit put off now, the male decided he would show off how gracefully he could fly. He took off and began to fly in loops and do figure eights in the sky. He was very proud of the way his damp shell caught the sun’s rays as he reached a certain angle. However, his glistening shell caught the attention of more than just the female. A nearby bird swooped down and gobbled up the poor guy in one bite.

                I got the idea for this story from “The Frog and The Ox”, one of Aesop’s fables. In it, a young frog tells of how big an ox that he saw was. In a show of pride, his father blows himself up until he actually explodes. The moral of the story is that vanity can often lead to one’s undoing.

"The Frog and the Ox" from The Fables of Aesop by Joseph Jacobs

In the Mountains-- One of my Favorite Places to Be

A scenic view of a glacial lake and mountains. Source: Wikipedia

      I love nearly everything about the great outdoors, but one of my favorite places to be "lost" is in the mountains. Whether I am hiking, skiing, snowboarding, or camping, there is nothing quite like a bird's eye view and clean mountain air.

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