Week One: Famous Last Words

This week I did something in this class that I have never done before. I have never rewrote a story or folktale in my own words and honestly, I had trouble starting it. Even though I write a lot for my major and on assignments, I haven't done a whole lot of creative writing. Maybe some in high school, but it's been a long time. I started the assignment multiple times and switched stories a few times before being satisfied. I think this also comes from my inner perfectionist with my work. However, I realized that it wasn't that difficult to write once I started. I learned that staring at a blank page can be the hardest thing, and just getting words on the paper helps to keep the story flowing. In the end I was happy with my story and glad to finally have figured out a way to start writing.     

          (mouse)


        (elephant eating)

As I completed some of the assignments for this week I read quite a few Storybooks written by other students. I noticed the ones I liked the best related pop culture or modern aspects to older folktales or stories. I enjoyed seeing the connections authors drew between two seemingly different subjects. I know at the end of the course I will have to write something similar, so I hope to find my own connections between some story I enjoy today and a historical one featured in the class. I think it makes assignments more enjoyable and entertaining to read.

As far as my other classes, they have just started. I'm not sure any of them relate to Mythology and Folklore, at least not directly. I am in Business Finance, Public Relations Publications and Mass Communications Law. I'm excited about my classes this semester, maybe less about Finance, and think they can really help me further my knowledge and understanding of public relations. Other than that I moved in to my apartment (with four other housemates) and am still in the process of unpacking. I think this semester is off to a great start!

Week One: Introduction

(personal photo)

My name is Jessica Murphy. I was born in China, raised in Tulsa, OK. and I am graduating in May 2015 with a degree in public relations and minors in Chinese and business. I hope to utilize my language skills to further strengthen and develop the Sino-American relationship. Multiple trips to China have given me insights into Chinese culture and history in my pursuit of fluency in Chinese.

This past summer I interned at Mary Kay Inc. in the Corporate Communication Department. There I helped with Mary Kay's annual Seminar, which brings over 30,000 Independent Beauty Consultants to the Dallas area for recognition, inspiration and motivation. I helped plan, organize and execute several events including a surprise flash gifting series, a partnership with Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas and the pink Cadillac's 45th birthday party. I worked closely with the Corporate Social Responsibility team, gaining knowledge and a better understanding for how the Corporate Communications team works.

I love to travel and have been to China a total of five times. Most recently, I studied abroad at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China for the fall 2013 semester. I had an incredible experience where I ate street food, rode my bike every day to school and climbed mountains with old-style Chinese temples. I visited the Great Wall, rode camels in the Gobi Desert and traveled to Shanghai over the Chinese National Holiday.

Currently I am taking Business Finance, Public Relations Publications, Mass Communications Law and Mythology and Folklore. I work in the Student Services office, helping to better assist Gaylord advisors and connect students with them. I am involved in the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority, Public Relations Student Society of America, and Lindsey + Asp, which is a completely student-run public relations and advertising agency.

I’m an avid Pinterest user, HGTV addict and cat lover. I love peanut M&M's, English history and taking walks at night. In my free time I read, cook and attempt to balance work, school and living with four other housemates.

Week One Storybook Favorites

The first project that caught my eye was The Prince Diaries, mostly because I enjoy the popular book and movie Anne Hathaway series, "The Princess Diaries." I like how the author used a different, often overlooked, perspective of the prince. The princess is always emphasized, but the prince barely has any lines or thoughts represented. The author also ventures into what happens after "happily ever after" which is an unanswered question in many fairy tales, and is something I've always wondered. The posts are written in diary entries which is a unique way to tell the opinion of a prince. In terms of the layout, I think the pictures and site layout is appropriate for the content. The conversation-style writing is relatable and entertaining.

I next looked at Peter Pan because Peter Pan is one of my favorite stories. I enjoyed the story from Tinkerbell's point of view, showcasing her sassy personality and strong perspective. The story of their friendship and her affection for him is never told and I like the way it is portray in this Storybook. I think Wendy's story of young love is charming and sweet, revealing how Peter Pan's affect on the people around him. I like that the pictures are at the top of the story and I think the green layout is very fitting for the theme.

The last one I looked at was Mean Girls Morals. Mean Girls is a movie I could watch over and over again, quoting it every time, so naturally I was curious about what the Storybook said. I liked how the author tied a pop culture element with the Aesops fables. I think it's really cool how there are connections between things that you'd never think were connected. I thought this Storybook was hilarious and entertaining. I loved hearing about the characters in a different light and learning more about the characters in different situations. The layout, of course, had to be girly and I thought the pictures and stories fit well together.

(The Plastics, source: Picky Wallpapers)

Week One: Un-Textbook Course Overview

Units of interest

I'm sorry these are out of order, I just picked and chose ones I liked…

1. Any of the Grimm stories. Obviously, I've seen all the Disney-fied versions, so I think reading the originals would be really interesting to learn about. I know they are very different, and a lot more grotesque, but I would learn a lot about where the stories originated.
2. The Monkey King. I think this would be interesting to study because I actually heard about this story through my high school Chinese teacher. She made it into a story we could more easily translate and speak as elementary speakers, so I think it would be cool to read the original.
3. Indian Fairy Tales. I love fairy tales and would like to see how other cultures portray these characters in childhood stories. I also like the idea of hearing an audio version of these stories.
4. King Arthur. I love English history and I think reading about his knights, quests and how he became king would be really interesting.
5. Nursery Rhymes. I like these because I've heard all these rhymes growing up. I think it would be beneficial (and fun) to go back through and see them through the lens of this class.
6. Life of the Buddha. I read Siddhartha in high school and really enjoyed it. I think it would be good to read this account of Buddha's story.

Week One Storytelling: The Fox And The Stork

Gus The Mouse And Harry The Elephant

One day a young, naive mouse named Gus decided he wanted to have some fun with his neighbor on a boring sunny day. Tired of running through the halls and chasing the scent of cheese, he scurried across the lawn to Harry the elephant's rainforest home. Harry was large, even for an elephant, and wrinkles lined his face and trunk. His mind was full of knowledge and his legs sore from travel.

Thinking he was so clever, Gus squeaked at Harry, "Please come dine with me tonight, Harry. I am so terribly bored and in need of company." Harry agreed, happy to please the young mouse. They set the time for 6 p.m. and Gus scurried back home, chuckling as he went.

(mouse)

Promptly at 6 p.m. Harry stomped to Gus' tiny home. Gus greeted him, serving a wheel of cheese fit for three mice, but smaller than Harry's foot. Being too polite to say anything, Harry could only touch his trunk to the block of cheese, barely eating anything all night. Gus ended the night with a laugh, sharing with his friends the great tale of Harry the elephant trying to eat cheese.

Harry spent the next few days pondering how to teach Gus a lesson. Being old and wise, Harry didn't want to lose his temper and or yell at the young Gus. Using his mellow disposition, Harry devised a plan to show Gus his own treatment.

The next week Harry calmly asked Gus to dinner, promising fruits and grasses. Surprised, Gus happily agreed and went to meet Harry. When Gus arrived, Harry had prepared an elaborate meal… All high above Gus in the trees. While Harry feasted, Gus sat frustrated on the ground floor, unable to reach any of the food. Gus scurried home, hungry and ashamed for how he had treated his old friend.

(elephant eating)

Author's note. This story is based on the Aesop for Children tale "The Fox And The Stork." In the original story, the Fox invites the Stork to eat dinner serving only soup, which the Stork could not eat. Being even-tempered, the Stork didn't get angry but invited the Fox to dinner where he served fish in a tall jar that the Fox could not reach. The lesson was that one should not play tricks on your neighbors unless you can stand the same treatment yourself.

Bibliography. "The Fox And The Stork" by Aesop, from The Aesop for Children (2006). Web Source: The Aesop for Children.

Week One: Favorite Place

Traveling is one of my favorite things to do. I've been to six countries and many states within the US. Here are a few of my favorite places!

Beijing, China

I am adopted from China and since then have returned four times to travel, visit and study abroad. Most recently I spent my fall 2013 semester at Tsinghua University in Beijing where I rode a bike to school, visited the Gobi desert and practiced Chinese in one of the largest cities in the world.

(Personal photo from Beijing, China taken November 2013)

(Personal photo from Beijing, China taken November 2013)

(Personal photo from the Gobi Desert, China taken October 2013)

Tulsa, Oklahoma

I'm from Tulsa, so this city -- as well as its residents --- holds a special place in my heart. 

(Personal photo from downtown Tulsa taken summer 2013)