College Writing Review

Keep on Writing

My overall college writing experience has been a tad bit different than most students, I would say. In high school, I took Comp 1 and Comp 2 concurrently, and therefore was not required to take any writing courses when I started at OU. It was a very weird transition for me because being from Texas, writing is something that you are consistently tested over from 4th grade until you graduate high school. I have had to participate in very little writing throughout all of my time here at OU due to the fact that I am a microbiology major. The only writing I usually am required to complete involves formulating scientific manuscripts, which have a much different approach than say something like a narrative or a persuasive paper that one might be required to write for an English course.

I personally think it is crazy that even science students aren't required to take a writing intensive course. To my personal knowledge, there are currently no writing courses that are specific to science majors. I think creating a course of that nature would be very beneficial and would definitely only help those students who plan to further their education in the science/healthcare fields. There are so many jobs post undergrad that would definitely benefit from a course like this.

Google Language Tech Tip

I decided to change the Google language to Elmer Fudd because I thought it would be hilarious, and it definitely was! The button for "I'm feeling lucky" definitely got a good laugh out of me!

Week 13: Famous Last Words

Well, this week has absolutely flown by! At first, I thought it was going to be a long week because Monday seemed to drag on, but now it's already almost Friday! As I mentioned in my last post, things are absolutely crazy right about now. It seems like all of my classes have reached the "crunch time" moment. There's so much to do in my capstone class in order to finish up and be able to graduate; it's honestly so stressful. But, our group has finally nailed down an experiment, so hopefully we will be able to finish up in a timely manner and complete the course!

As for this class, I regretfully became super busy throughout the month of April, so I have been trying to play catch up. This is obviously no fault but of my own. I am
hoping to be able to wrap up everything within these next two weeks, but as I said before, April is such a crazy month! My goal for this next week is to add my last Storybook story and complete all the way through to the review week.

Design done by an executive member

In addition to all the craziness going on in my capstone class, I also have an upcoming physiology exam on top of working close to 30-40 hours a week. It's definitely been a challenging semester, but I think I have learned much responsibility and motivation from staying so busy. In a very backwards way, staying busy and occupying all of my time with things to do is what keeps me motivated. I love being super busy.

Another awesome thing I've gotten to participate in, not only this semester, but all year, is Relay for Life executive council. I am currently serving on the fundraising team, and we have been working all year to raise money for the American Cancer Society. This past week, we had multiple PR events to raise awareness about the awesome event, and after working so hard all year, next Friday is the day of the actual event. I am so excited to see our hard work play out! That being said...I must get on my soapbox for a minute. If you read this at all and are available on April 24th, you should sign up and check out this awesome event on the South Oval! It's going to be an awesome time!

Extra Reading Diary: Italian Fairy Tales

This week, for the extra reading assignment, I chose to read the Italian Fairy Tales. This is actually a unit I have been wanting to read as per the mention of Laura at the very beginning of the semester. I got to study abroad last summer in Italy, and I became pretty fascinated with the Italian culture (much of which I knew very little about before heading there). I mentioned that in my introduction, and Laura suggested that I read these stories. It wasn't until I was just scrimmaging through that I remembered that those were an option, so I decided to dive in and check them out!

(Italian Beauty and the Beast cover)

One of my favorite stories from the fairy tales was Zelinda and the Monster. As mentioned in the comments before the unit, it was definitely a Beauty and the Beast type of story. At first, I couldn't quite see the resemblance (other than of course a girl and monster), but as the story progressed, many of the same elements and details that are in the classic Disney movie and story were in this story as well. The mere fact that the monster returns to a handsome prince at the end of the story was the most obvious connection. The other connection about the girl's father being sick was also brought to my attention. My favorite quote amongst this story was "but you see, Zelinda, if you should marry me wonderful things would happen. What they are I cannot tell you until you will be my wife," because it is a sense of foreshadowing for the monster returning to prince form. It is made apparent by the quote that the monster is unable to tell Zelinda due to the curse the witch placed on him. Overall, the story was really easy to read, and I really enjoyed it!

Week 13 Storytelling: And So Enters the Sea Witch

"I can't do this anymore. I can't watch him live his life up on the earth without me. I am the one who saved his life; I need to be with him. It's my destiny!"Ariel said, swimming up to one of her many sister's seashell vanities. 

"I mean, I don't blame you! I couldn't do it either, but there's nothing you can do about it, Ariel!" Adriana, the eldest of the sisters, replied.

"That's the thing, Adriana. I CAN! Two words for you: Sea. Witch." 

"Oh my, you KNOW Dad will never let you set foot near her. Don't even think about it. She will probably give you what you want, but it will come with the greatest of price. She doesn't do things for free, you know?" Adriana tried to rationalize with her younger, naive sister.

"I don't care what I have to do. If I get to live and marry the prince, then I will do whatever it takes to get there! Make me a promise, just don't tell Dad, okay?" And with that, Ariel swam off into the deep, dark depths of the ocean to find the only person that could help in these desperate times.

The ocean became darker and denser as Ariel swam closer to the witch's home. She could feel the water becoming colder and icier the further into the depths of the ocean she went. Finally, after what had seemed like hours, she arrived at the forefront of the Sea Witch's lair. Mounds of seaweed covered the front door; obviously the witch didn't care too much about any visitors to keep up with the grooming. As Ariel approached the front door, a group of electric eels swarmed around her.

"Exxxxxcuse me, ma'am. Who are you? Why have you crossed into the depths of my master's lair?" the oldest of the eels demanded.

"I'm here to see the Sea Witch. I, I, I....I know she can help. I need to become a human. Please, let me in. She's my only hope," Ariel stammered.

(Sea Witch by Nadezhda Illarion)

"HAHAHA. A human? You silly fool. I'll gladly let you in, but you have no idea what you're getting yourself into," another of the eels said. And with that, the doors to the lair slowly creaked open.

Ariel hesitantly stepped inside and wandered around until suddenly a voice from seemingly nowhere cackled, "I know exactly why you're here. You foolish little girl! You think that prince could ever fall in love with you?"

"Of course I do! It'll be love at first sight. And not to mention he loved my voice when I sang to him as I rescued him. Even though he does think it's that temple girl. But I can show him it's me! It's me he's actually in love with! But I can only do with your help. So, please Sea Witch, I'm begging you. Can you help me?" 

"Like I said before. You're a foolish girl! I would be glad to help you, but like everyone has told you before...it's going to come at a price. I will make you a human, but you must understand some rules, and remember to choose wisely. Once I make you a human, you will never be allowed to return to the sea as a mermaid or have any communication with your sisters or father. Secondly, if are unable to make the prince fall in love with you, and thus he marries another woman, the morning after their marriage, you will become but a speck of foam in the sea," the Sea Witch explained.

"I don't care what I have to do. I've already made my decision! Do it now!" Ariel said, nearly interrupting.

"Now, now...I'm not finished. You will also experience excruciating pain with every step that you take. That's the price you must pay in order to gain feet. And last, but certainly not least, that voice of yours? Yeah, it's gotta go. So, good luck making the prince fall in love with you. HAHAHA" the Sea Witch cackled. 

"Like I said before. I've already made my decision. Take my voice, just make me a human so I can be with my prince!" Ariel began to cry.

"Your wish is my command"

And with that, the eels began to swim around Ariel, creating a whirlpool. Light and magic flashed all around and her voice began to escape her body. Painted pink toes now appeared where her green tail once was. Ariel's entire body quivered, and then suddenly the water grew still. Ariel slowly began to gasp for air, as her gils no longer belonged on her body. Quickly and swiftly Ariel began to swim to the surface of the ocean, quietly leaving her old life behind, ready to begin the search for her prince.

Author's Note: For my story this week, I decided to pick part 4 of Andersen's The Little Mermaid. All parts of the story were good, so it made it a tad bit difficult to choose which one I wanted to rewrite. Many are familiar with the Disney version of the story, and while some of the parts of the story are similar, there many parts that are much more gruesome. I combined elements of the Disney story (like the name Ariel and the eels guarding the lair); however, many of the other details came from the Andersen version. I hope you enjoyed reading it!

Bibliography: Fairy Tales and Stories by Hans Christian Andersen, translated by H. P. Paull (1872).

Reading Diary B: Hans Christian Andersen

The second half of this unit revolves solely around the story of the Little Mermaid, but like you mentioned in your comments in the beginning, it's definitely not the popular Disney story. I had no idea that the original story was so dark and gruesome compared to the lighthearted animated movie that everyone loves. Although the theme of the Andersen unit was deeper and resulted in a not so happy ending, I still enjoyed reading and experiencing the original. All of the language and details that Andersen uses is phenomenal! His writing is absolutely beautiful.

(Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen)

All parts of the Little Mermaid were really entertaining to read, and I really enjoyed it. Amongst each of the episodes, my favorites were part 4, part 5, and part 6. I felt like in part 4 is where the story really picked up, and also where I noticed the most difference between the Disney story and Andersen's original version. The Sea Witch's compromise was definitely more gruesome than Ursula's "Poor Unfortunate Souls" bit; I couldn't believe that not only did she take her voice, she literally cut her tongue off. Talk about rude. I also didn't realize that part of the agreement that the Sea Witch made with the little mermaid involved never being able to return to the sea, and no matter how she stepped, her gait would cause her excruciating pain. Even with these stipulations, Andersen's version really shows the lengths people with go to in order to be with the person they love. Another major point in the story that stood out was the obvious different ending. In the Disney version, Ariel and Prince Eric eventually fall in love (after the spell with Ursula), and they live 'happily ever after'. However, the little mermaid's twisted happy ending she receives much be perceived differently. At first glance, it seems like the ending is not in her favor. However, even though she kills herself (instead of killing her prince), she is able to live on with an immortal soul, unlike the fate of most mermaids.

Reading Diary A: Hans Christian Andersen

This week I had a hard time choosing what I wanted to read, mainly because all of the options were so great! I couldn't decide between the Grimms stories, Dante's Inferno, Andersen, or really any of the other fairy tale stories. I went ahead and chose the Andersen Fairy Tales because my Storybook is over many of the Grimms stories, so I figured I would find something new. Who knows, I'll probably end up choosing Dante's Inferno next week. It's just too interesting of a story not to check out!

(The Princess and the Pea)

Perhaps one of my favorite episodes from this week's unit is The Princess and the Pea. It seems to be such a classic fairy tale story that almost everyone knows. I found it really easy to read; it was very light-hearted and fun. My favorite quote of the story was near the end when it says "...and the pea was put in the museum, where it may still be seen, if no one has stolen it." It gives the story a little bit of humor, and I think it's hilarious to think of a pea being put on display for people to see. Another quote I thought added humor to the story was the very last quote, "there, that is a true story," because it is such a definitive quote, but the story is not necessarily true.