Technology

The technology tools have been a great way to express opinions, accomplish tasks, and write out and show the meaning behind the text. I believe blogging has great power when expressing ideas and is useful in the organizational aspect. I enjoy how this class is developing and how the webpage encourages us on a daily basis. I think much work has been put into the technological side of things and I am excited to see where it takes us.

Time Strategies

After reviewing my schedule, I felt very confident about my decision to make this class assignments' due each day. I think if I were to put multiple assignments on one day, I would be setting myself up for failure. My days tend to stay busy until late at night, so I thought it wise to expect just one hour a day on these assignments because that is doable. If there does come a weekend or a day when I can catch up and spend more than one hour, I will indeed do so.

Overall, I think it will be a very organized semester. I've learned that pursuing perfection never ends well, but I can aim for excellence and succeed in that way.

Assignments

I have thoroughly enjoyed these assignments during week one. I enjoyed starting out with a bit of processing through my life and reading through the topic of growth mindset, as well as starting the story book favorites assignments and see others' past assignments in order to get a glimpse of what this class will entail. Our professor has done a wonderful job commenting and making sure what we post is heard and listened to. I appreciate that.

I am excited to continue diving into growth mindset throughout my semester and hopefully for the rest of my life. I really believe that strategy can do so much good in our personal lives, in education and in daily life.

Growth Mindset

Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset,

I have not heard of Carol Dweck or the growth mindset before, although her voice surely sounds familiar. I learned about it for the first time in this class. I see myself growing in the face of "get the best grade" or "get an A or you're not smart". I have learned to let go of that, especially now going into a field that is less based of grades and more based off of who I am connected with and how well I can express my opinion or perspective on a topic. I do, however, still tend to look at anything not an "A" as a negative thing. I associate "A" with "good, perfect, excellent" and "B" or "C", etc with "failure, not good enough, lacking". I can definitely relate to the aspect of my life in traveling. When I spent time in Haiti, I noticed the more released I was from this idea of perfection in performance. Of course I still learned and grew in discipline, but it was for a greater purpose rather than to just be perfect for some far off reason. I definitely will be interested in the growth mindset and will be consciously thinking of how I can better grasp this idea of being a praiser in a healthy way. I definitely want to walk more in grace and excellence, because of my love for the Lord and for people. I've noticed I tend to seek after perfectionism when I live for myself solely. 

Introduction

My friends Malise, Sonson and Huguens in Tilagonove

Introduction

My name is Marla Duvall. I am a senior at the University of Oklahoma. I am studying Human Relations and will graduate this May. Currently, I am a normal college student who is crazy passionate about a lot of things. I love the country of Haiti and have been multiple times, long-term and short-term. I also love Oklahoma (this one didn't happen until this year). I hate injustice and have already dedicated my life to fighting injustice at all costs. Specifically, I have begun fighting human trafficking here in OKC/Norman area. I want go into the non-profit sector and be an advocate for human trafficking victims and survivors and see them freed from this modern-day slavery. I also am huge on fighting for minority's rights. Oppression is something I have hated hearing about and it grieves my heart daily to hear this happens to so many people. I used to fight the grief, but now I use grief as a force to push back the darkness I see in my community and around the world. I am a Christian, and because of the Lord's love in my life, I have been called to fight injustice, even on the hard days. I am never perfect at what I do and by no means could ever do it alone, but I am confident that every second of effort is worth it. 

I love yoga, hiking, reading, hanging out in coffee shops and bookstores, supporting local businesses, and eating plant-based. My love language is quality time so just any time with friends and family fills my heart. I love spending time in Downtown OKC and in the Wichita mountains. Outside of Oklahoma, I love skiing in New Mexico and Colorado. I have a lot of friends in different states and they graciously have let me come see them and showed me their home states. I have a love to travel and taste new food, have new experiences.

Currently I work on curbside at a restaurant and have since I started college. I am about to start an internship at a local non-profit. I help out with the 1st and 2nd graders at my church and it is actually the joy of my week. They are so much fun. I also am apart of an awesome community group here in Norman that is linked to my church.

Storybook Favorites

Week 1

1) Voldemort's Reincarnation: https://sites.google.com/view/reincarnations/home

Voldemort's Reincarnation is set on Christmas Eve at Hogwarts. This blog discusses how Voldemort came to be as well as how Harry Potter grew up and came to dwell at Hogwarts. The author actually places himself in the story with his sister. Together, they take on Voldemort and plan ways to defeat him.

2) Yama's Hair Salon: https://sites.google.com/site/influentialwomencarriegraham/

Yama's Hair Salon/Influential Women is based on Yama, the god of death. She is the one who decides when and where someone dies and enters into the afterlife. Women are only allowed to cut their hair at 11 months old in the earthly life, but after they enter the afterlife they are no longer bound to that rule. Yama is the one who allows the haircuts to happen.

3)Tragic Stories featuring Yaksha's: https://sites.google.com/view/tragicstories/home

Tragic Stories featuring Yaksha's is based off the gods Yaksha and Yakshinis, which are proud beings. They desire to only bring good fortune to the world, but their lives remain a tragedy because they are never able to fully restore peace and happiness to those they try to help.

Yakshi

Favorite Place

Week 1

My favorite place is Titanyen, Haiti (or really just Haiti in general). I first visited here on a mission trip in August of 2015. I instantly knew I had to spend more time here. I came back in May of 2016 for three months and served as an intern at Mission of Hope in Titanyen. I came back in March of 2017 for a week and back again to intern this past May for three months again. I am super passionate about showing people outside of this country the hope and beauty that grows daily in Haiti. I think people tend to look at Haiti as just a poor, helpless country. I would disagree. Haiti is rich in more than money. I actually feel more joy and contentment there than I do back in the US at times. Haitians are incredible people. They have the biggest smiles, the most giving spirits and have the hardest work ethic you could find. Some of my best friends are Haitians and I love them dearly, but honestly they love me way better. I actually had a friend name his daughter after me and that was the highlight of my life.

I could go on forever, but Haiti is amazing. Everyone should experience it. Here are some of my favorite pics of my favorite people.