Tech Tip: Canvas Profile

I already had a profile picture for canvas because another class I was in required it. However, I did not know about all the other features. It was cool getting to see all the different things that I can do! I did not add any links, but I did change my photo. I could also see myself adding things to my biography later down the road. This tip was super helpful.

Famous Last Words: Almost done!!

It's freaking me out that we are approaching the end of the semester... Crazy to think I will be a junior this fall!!
My week before spring break was fairly easy. I had midterms before then so I was kind of resting. I also had a medical procedure on that Friday before spring break so I went home early anyway. Last week I started my portfolio! (correctly) It felt good to be able to get some good feedback from Professor Gibbs and see what I need to fix.
I am looking forward to editing my Portfolio story this week to improve upon it even more. As the semester is coming along, I really need to focus on pushing through and finishing strong with a good GPA.

Tech Tip: Canvas Calendar

This week, I looked at the tech tip on Canvas' calendar tool. I actually had no idea you could make your own calendar in Canvas. Obviously I knew that I could view dates that the professor put in, but knowing I can make my own schedule was really helpful.

I have not started using the canvas calendar yet. Currently, I just use a planner, and if something is super important I will put it in my phone as an alert just so I don't let it slip my mind.
I will definitely start using the canvas tools next semester, because I think they could be very helpful in my time management.

Storytelling: When the Time Comes

It was a cloudy Sunday in May of 2008, and Roger Keaton lays sound asleep in a St. Francis Hospital bed. His family was all standing close by; his three daughters, son, and 6 grandkids. Tension filled the room. Granddad hadn’t been doing so well since his last round of chemo – pancreatic cancer.

Like anyone, Roger’s family was constantly in a state of worry because no one knew when his time to leave them would come. However, even more so for Roger’s family, because the doctor predicted that he would only live to be 68, which was only one year after his diagnosis. Pancreatic cancer is a mean and violent disease. For Roger to live as long as he had was a miracle in itself – he is now 74. So the anticipation was amplified times ten for the Keaton family because their beloved Roger could literally be taken from them at any second.

He had good and bad days, but the adults in the family knew the time was nearing and they could hardly bare it.

The youngest of Roger’s children, his baby girl Lillian, walked to his side and broke down into flowing tears as she cried, “Daddy, I don’t know what I’m gonna do without you here.”

Roger replied with wisdom like he always did, and comforted Lillian with his kind words.

“Lil, let go of your own plan and accept God’s. I am prepared to stand at the gates of Heaven whenever my time comes, whether it be today or 10 years from now. You’ll always be my baby girl, and just as I have kept my eye on you since the day you were born, I will do the same even when I am gone.”

“I love you, daddy.”

“I love you too, Lily Pad.” He had called her that since she was a baby. Lily Pad. Lillian used to hate it, but hearing it now sounded so sweet.

Roger then called his oldest son Mark over to his bedside.

“Mark, you’re a good man. A great father. A faithful servant. An inspiring teacher. An encouraging friend. And not to mention, my favorite son ever.” (His only).

Holding back tears, Mark replied, “I will make you proud, Dad. I will honor this family and the Keaton name until-“

“I trust that you will, son. I have all the faith in you. Now don’t cry. You’re no wimp.” Roger always had a dry sense of humor. Somehow it made him obnoxious, but so charming at the same time. Everyone loved him.


The days passed slowly. Two weeks later, June 3rd, 2008 Roger Keaton passed away in that same St. Francis Hospital bed. His family mourned as they watched him take his last breath. An incredible mix of deep sorrow and adoring love filled the room as family members cried, and tried to process what was happening. Bible hymns were playing in the room as they were Roger’s favorite. The whole family sang along and smiled knowing that their father and granddad was right where he was supposed to be.

Bibliography

PDE Mahabharata. Link to reading.

Author's Note

I changed this story quite a bit, but writing it came so naturally.

This is a story taken from the death of Bhishma. He got to choose when he died, and he instructed others as to what to do when he died. Here, I took a more emotional approach. I wrote about a person who could not choose when to die, but was ready when the time came near. I included a real life situation with my main character's family being there and experiencing the pain of what was happening to him. I made the story into a more realistic version, or a more real life take on what went on in the PDE Mahabharata. I chose this generic picture because I thought it was just a sweet representation of a family. That's the most important thing about this story. The plot is based on the grandfather dying, but that is not meant to be the focus. It's about the love and respect the family has for each other and how that both makes his death harder, but leaves them with peace as well. I would say most of us have either personally suffered the loss of someone special to us, or have known someone who has lost a loved one. So I think this is relatable and makes an emotional connection to a reader more than the original Mahabharata version. It's more personal.

Family Portrait. Image source: online.

Week 8 Growth Mindset

Well first, I am going to start by talking about an issue I have with my other classes. As I was going through the list of growth strengths and weaknesses, one stuck out to me. I think one of my biggest weaknesses in my other classes is that I focus on the grades instead of learning. There is a lot of pressure on me to get good grades because of scholarships and sorority requirements, so I am always stressing. I think that sometimes I think and worry so much about getting the good grades, that it actually causes me to do worse. When I get stressed I shut down, and I think if I would focus on learning things rather than getting questions right on a test, I could do much better and would be less stressed.

For this class, I would say my biggest weakness is comparing myself to others. Some times I will write a story, then when I read someone else's I'll like theirs better and start questioning mine. I need to remember to focus on my own growth even when I am observing other people's work.

A strength I have for all my classes would be that I learn from my mistakes. I am pretty good at taking criticism and changing what I do to be better.

For the rest of the semester, I will focus on bettering myself instead of comparing myself to others, and I will set time schedules for myself so that I may be successful in all my classes.

Inspiration. Image Source: UKPinterest.

Week 8 Reflections

I think my note taking strategies have really worked for me thus far in the course. After getting a bit behind from being sick, it took some time to get back on track. Now I have designated times and places where/when I do my work for this class and it works great! It has really helped keeping a time schedule and knowing what time I need to dedicate to the work in here.

I am fairly happy with the writing I have done in this class. I am not the best writer, and of course there can always be improvements. But I think overall, I have done well and I am proud of the work I've done! I have learned I definitely enjoy writing my own stories much more than I enjoy academic writing like book reports or research papers. And I think because of this, my writing is better!

As far as other people, I really enjoy reading my classmates stories. I love seeing how we all interpret things differently, and how our creativity comes out in different ways as well. I think I have given helpful feedback to others, and I hope that my comments have helped them in some way!

Ramayana. Image Source: LankanDestinations.

Learning Challenge: Happiness/Health Tips from Emmaca

This week I will share some happiness/health tips of my own! I hope these will be helpful to anyone who reads. :)

- Vitamins - I know this isn't a personal 'tip' per say... But this definitely goes along with health, and I have a major connection to this. It's something I'm passionate about.

My body is hypersensitive to everything around it. Sounds weird I know. And it's sort of hard to explain. But for example, any medication I take for a sickness or even on a day to day basis, I must take the very minimum effective dose. I take the dosages of medicines that doctors give to babies because my body is just so sensitive. In many ways other than that. So something that I have learned is the importance of health. Along with healthy eating and exercise, vitamins have made a huge impact on my health and in return on my happiness. Every morning I take a range of vitamins. Pure, natural vitamins! The most helpful I have found are B vitamins because they give you natural energy and even improve your mood! (most specifically B12). Another one I have found helpful is Vitamin D! It's the one you get from the sun, but I have noticed my joints feeling better, and myself being able to think clearer when I take it regularly. I take a number of others including Niacin, L-methylfolate, biotin, fish oil. I won't go into detail about all of them. The gist of this tip is to take your vitamins kids! They really do help!

- Starting off the day right.

For me, this means a short little bible study ending with some verses. For others who do not practice christianity, of course this differs. It could mean a short reading of your own personal religious book! Or if you're not a religious person, a simple inspirational quote, or a horoscope, there are a number of different ways to be motivated in the morning!
I have found when I start the say with my bible study, I just feel happier. My spirits are lifted, and I feel confident about taking on the day. :)
If you struggle with finding ways to do this, my inbox is always open! I love encouraging others!

I have other tips to share, and I will continue to do so throughout this course!

Vitamins. Image Source: GazetteReview.