UnTextbook

Ovid’s Metamorphoses is an epic poem that contains stories of different Greek gods. The entirety of the book is about how each story revolves around the theme of transformation.

Bible Women contains three series of texts, which are the Jewish patriarchs, Hebrew bible and the New Testament Gospels. Within each series there are different types of women with different stories. 

Ancient Egypt contains tales of ancient Egyptian myths that are both mythology and folklore. They contain stories on the beginning of the world, famous Greek gods and folktales.

Life of the Buddha is all about the life of Prince Siddhartha. It takes the reader threw a timeline from his birth to the later years of his life.

Buddha

I chose a picture of Buddha because his story will be my favorite to read. I want to learn more about the reasoning behind his meditation practice and how he reached nirvana. 

Storybook Favorites

I have never heard of “Tale of the Traveling Cat” before but the picture really captured me. Being an animal lover, I was of course drawn to a cat in my favorite pair of circle shades. The title itself did a good job on informing me on what the story would be about. The introduction made me want to read more into the story since he is able to time travel and seems to go to a lot of diverse places.

I immediately clicked on the title “I Was a TeenageMythological Creature” not because I knew what the story was but because I am very interested in mythological creatures. I have also recently watched the third season of American Horror story, which has a Minotaur in it. Reading the introduction, I don’t really get a clear image on what the story would be about because it just says there are five contestants and we are reading their diaries. When I first read the title, I thought it would be about humans turning into mythological creatures.

Scanning over more of the Storybooks, I came across the story “The Last of the Seapeople”. What really captured my attention were both the title and the image itself.  I used to watch shows about mermaids and have read and heard of conspiracy theories over the possible existence of mermaids. There have also been films with interesting footage over the topic. I am not saying mermaids are real, but there is some interesting evidence. Because I am an artist, I was immediately drawn to the picture. When I draw, I always draw people and I always shade and rarely color. So this illustration related with my drawing style, making me connect even more closely too it. Out of the three Storybook introductions I read, this one was very informative and related with the title of the story. I would really love to read about this post the most.

Mermaid

My Introduction

Hey you guys! My name is Renae Torres and I am a junior here at Oklahoma University. I chose my major to be psychology because I enjoy being there for others and helping them through their tough times. I went from wanting to be a counselor to wanting to work in a psychiatric hospital. But now I want to be either an art therapist or an occupational therapist. Some of my hobbies are drawing, painting, collecting crystals, yoga and recently I have been enjoying running. Sadly I haven't been drawing or painting too often but I usually draw people. When I get the time, I love practicing meditation and doing yoga during the day to keep myself awake and in a positive mindset. My favorite kind of movies are horror but I like to watch any type of movie. My favorite movie of all time is Sinister. Back in my home town in Texas, I have 4 dogs names Ziggy, Shilo, Wolfie and Camo and we also have 2 cats named Mickey and Spike. The oldest animals are my cats, they are 17, but they still play and run around like kittens. All of our pets were all rescue animals at the SPCA. I have recently wanted to buy a Pomeranian but my mother might not be too fond with that idea. During the winter break, I visited my Grandfather in Tennessee to help him take care of the 40 goats he raises to then sell to people. The rest of the time I was in Texas with my family and friends. Also I got an xbox one for Christmas so I mostly spent my days playing video games. This is surprising because I usually am not a gamer but I am hooked since I have have been playing the Evil Within. It is really amazing but very scary game.

Meditation

Week 1 Storytelling: The Family Robin Hood

THE fox and his wife they had a great strife,

They never eat mustard in all their whole life;

They eat their meat without fork or knife,

And loved to be picking a bone, e-ho!

The fox jumped up on a moonlight night;

The stars they were shining, and all things bright;

Oh, ho! said the fox, it's a very fine night

For me to go through the town, e-ho!

The fox when he came to yonder stile,

He lifted his lugs and he listened a while!

Oh, ho! said the fox, it's but a short mile

From this unto yonder wee town, e-ho!

The fox when he came to the farmer's gate,

Who should he see but the farmer's drake;

I love you well for your master's sake,

And long to be picking your bone, e-ho!

The grey goose she ran round the hay-stack,

Oh, ho! said the fox, you are very fat;

You'll grease my beard and ride on my back

From this into yonder wee town, e-ho!

Old Gammer Hipple-hopple hopped out of bed,

She opened the casement, and popped out her head;

Oh! husband, oh! husband, the grey goose is dead,

And the fox is gone through the town, oh!

Then the old man got up in his red cap,

And swore he would catch the fox in a trap;

But the fox was too cunning, and gave him the slip,

And ran through the town, the town, oh!

When he got up to the top of the hill,

He blew his trumpet both loud and shrill,

For joy that he was safe

Through the town, oh!

When the fox came back to his den,

He had young ones both nine and ten,

"You're welcome home, daddy, you may go again,

If you bring us such nice meat

From the town, oh!"

(Nursery Rhyme)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A poor family lived in a small town in London during the 1800's. The husband was a shoe maker and a good one at that. He would take his time and put all of his effort into making one pair of shoes. The people of the town used to love his work. Sadly, more people moved into the village who were also shoemakers. The worst part was was that they made them more quickly than the husband.  One night, as the family sat down to dinner they ate on bread and condiments that they had been savoring for a week. To this site, the husband looked around at his wife and two young children and decided he needed to make a change. He excused himself form the table and walked out the door to behold the ambiance of the only light in the sky, the moon. He walked towards his neighbors who was far down the road and heard the cry of a goose causing his ears to perk up. Once the man snuck past the front of the house and hopped the fence to get into the back yard he grabbed hold of the goose by the neck. Noticing a light flickering in the window he swiftly took his kill and ran to the town incase his neighbors were chasing him. He stood on the hill and raised the limp and lifeless being in his hand and bellowed out a loud yelp to let everyone know he felt invincible. Once he collected himself and calmed down, he went back to his small house and handed his wife the duck. The woman looked down in awe at what was in her hands, almost like it was a rare gem. The children jumped around in glee for they didn't remember the last time they had eaten meat. The woman turned away from the cheering husband and children to prepare the duck. With a smirk, she softly uttered to herself as she cut the head of the goose off, "you sly fox."

The Fox

Authors note: This story was based of the rhyme found in The Nursery Rhyme Book, edited by Andrew Lang, (1897). When I was looking at the nursery rhymes I immediately stopped on this story because I am obsessed with foxes. Not only that but while reading the story I got so many ideas, I just had to write about it. While reading the story, I thought about Robin Hood and how he stole money from the rich to give to the poor. The husband was not giving money to the poor but he was providing for his family so they both have good intentions for their wrong doing. I also incorporated the name of Robin Hood because the character for Robin Hood in the animated movie by Disney is a fox. I also incorporated some actions a fox would do or be described as like how the husbands ears pointed at a sound he heard, yelping and using the word sly. 

Favorite Place

I have loved London ever since I was a freshman in high school because of their accents and beautiful scenery.

Tower Bridge

The London Tower Bridge