Possible Topics!

Possible Topic 1: Persian Tales
Being half Persian myself, I have heard many of the classical Persian tales from my Father as a child. They have always been of great interest to me and they all also serve as great moral stories. I would love to do this topic to not only refresh what I have heard as a child, but also to learn about all the other Persian tales I have never heard of before!

Research so far:
For the topic of Persian tales, I have browsed through the UnTextbook to see if I could recognize any of the stories and one of the main ones that I remember as a child was the story of Arash the archer; a great hero of the Persian tradition.

Possible Topic 2: Ovid's Metamorphoses
As a child, also much like the Persian tales, I have been greatly fascinated with Greek Mythology. I literally am taking this course now because of the interest. I am pleasantly surprised that only the amount of Greek Mythology there is available for us in the UnTextbook, but also the amount of the traditional Persian Tales! Needless to say, I am quite excited to dive right into some great reading from both these first two topics!

Research so far:
Ovid's Metamorphoses (Books 1-4) is what I chose to do my week 2 storytelling about, and I really enjoyed it. I have never had extensive knowledge of Greek Mythology so this topic is all very new and interesting. From reading Books 1-4 of this topic, I can already tell I that there are some great moral stories woven in the stories of the Greek gods.

Possible Topic 3:  Egyptian Myth
There really are some great topics to brows through and I could probably pick at 20 topics I would be interested in; Egyptian Myth is my next favorite. Starting from my high school art class, I began a growing interest in the culture when I started to weave Egyptian art into my sketches and painting. I remember doing a piece for a local band that had some very nice Egyptian touches! I will be sure to include a piece of my art influenced by Egyptian culture in this post!

Research so far:
My research for this topic has not been to extensive just yet; I really have never known a good deal about their stories and myths; I have just always been fascinated in their style of art! I have browsed through the UnTextbook and found some really interesting stories to talk about in the future and possibly even my class project!

(An Egyptian inspired piece (unfinished) from my High School Sketchbook.
Source is from my art portfolio)

Possible Topic 4: Buddha
Ah, the wonderful teachings of Buddha; this topic has always been of interest to me too! Like I said before, there are so many great reading in the UnTextbook. Why have I waited this long to take this course? I remember reading the book Siddhartha in High School and it was so interesting. It not only taught some great lessons of life, but also is the story of finding spiritual enlightenment.

Research so far:
My research for this topic so far is a little more extensive than the Egyptian topic. Like I said, my research of this topic greatly began in High School when I read Siddhartha and started to be intrigued by the thought of spiritual enlightenment. I have scanned through the readings provided in the UnTextbook and I can already tell this is probably the unit that you can take away the greatest life lessons in!

Possible Topic 5: Dante's Inferno
The view of Hell by Dante; I remember first skimming through this book when I was younger and being so interested in all the great details and depictions of  Hell. I would consider myself a "spiritual" person to some extent and believe there is a creator of all this beauty around us; as for the existence of Heaven and Hell, I can only explore the bounds of my own mind and wonder. Dante's Inferno is so interesting to me not only because of the great detail of Hell itself, but also Purgatory and Paradise. The thought of a "Purgatory" place beyond our reality is a very intriguing thought.

Research so far:
I have the least knowledge of this section, but definitely plan on writing at least a story about this in the future. I remember looking through the book when I was younger and I have browsed the sections in the UnTextbook for this topic. I have also done some online researching further learning about this interesting divine comedy.

Storytelling Week 2

At dawn, Zeus awoke to a horrific sight across the heavenly clouds. Semele, his wife appeared to be having an affair with Jupiter, another great god of the skies. She was wrapped in his arms giving him a loving embrace just before drifting back to Zeus; "could it possibly be?" thought Zeus. He did not mention anything to Semele about what he had seen, but rather withheld his emotions and kept them contained. Months have passed by and the great skies are beginning to grow dark with the hatred spilling out of Zeus. He has not seen them together again but still dwells on the sight he had seen before of them. The image their loving embrace has burned in Zeus's mind. The madness began to grow greater from within Zeus; he decided to take action. Zeus gathered all the clouds in the sky and summoned countless great bolts of lightening and hellish storms from all around and wished it all upon Jupiter while he was at rest in the heavens. Jupiter must have heard the great storm approach; he had moved just in time. He asked Zeus "why have you done this to me?". Zeus replied "You had my wife many months ago. I have not forgotten." This sent Jupiter into a state of confusion. Before leaving abruptly Jupiter leaves Zeus with "Why do you say such things? I have never had your wife!". Zeus approaches his wife, Semele, and asks "Why have you betrayed me to Jupiter?". She quickly responds "What ever do you mean Zeus? I would have never even thought to betray you, but after hearing what you wished upon Jupiter, I can be with you no longer. Your hate is too ugly and has driven me far away from you...". This was the last time Zeus ever saw Semele or Jupiter.

(Semele and Jupiter, Source)

Author's Note:
I am so fascinated by Mythology, all the different gods and powers; so I really enjoyed reading all about them for this week. I could not help but re imagine a story about the great god of the sky, Zeus. I found a theme that repeated in the stories from Ovid's Metamorphoses and wrote about them earlier this week. Both of the stories regarding revenge over an affair. Love had been overcome with hate, and the revenge proved to not be so sweet for them. Their are consequences for every action taken. The original story ended with Zeus accidentally killing his wife, Semele, by brewing up a storm she could not dodge like Jupiter did in my re imaging. I found it interesting how both stories I spoke about before ended with great consequences because actions were take due to their overwhelming emotions; I wanted to keep that theme up, but in a different way. I decided to create an ending not so sad from the original, but still has great consequences because of the actions Zeus tried.

Bibliography:
The original story is simply titled "Semele" within Ovid's Metamorphoses (Books 1-4) and was translated into English by Tony Kline. You can find the link here!

Week 2 Reading Diary: Ovid's Metamorphoses (Books1-4)

For this weeks diary post, my attention was drawn in first by the story of Mars and Venus within Ovid's Metamorphoses (translated into English by Tony Kline). The story between Mars and Venus is a classic revenge one; Venus being Vulcan's wife, has cheated on him with Mars. Upon hearing about what Vulcan's wife has done, he chooses to take revenge on them with the use of his good craftsman's work. Interestingly, Sol, the god who rules all the stars and see's all things that happen first before anyone else see's, informs Vulcan about the affair and shows him the exact couch where they are soon to meet again. Vulcan uses this information and his deep envy to take revenge upon them both. Wielding together a snare and net, he carefully takes time to make everything perfect and captures them. This particular story sparked my interest so much because in life, I have realized when I am very angry, it can become very easy to act upon your feelings and take actions out of hate or envy. The moral of this story is to show how cold revenge can be and also to show just how easily it can be for someone to take action on their first feelings.

(Vulcan capturing Mars and Venus in the act: Source)

Another character caught my attention while reading through Ovid's Metamorphoses; Semele, a wife of Zeus, has become pregnant with Jupiter's child. Zeus is similar to Vulcan in this story and acts very similarly on his feelings of revenge and hate. This story has a much more sad ending than the first one mentioned above, but also teaches a better lesson of regret than the first. Zeus summons a great storm upon Semele and immediately regrets it, but it is too late...

Learning Challenges

H.E.A.R.T. is a very interesting concept and I enjoyed browsing the website and reading more about it; this is very beneficial especially to college students. I could see myself doing several of these challenges such as meditating and even just reading more for personal enjoyment. Reading is definitely one of my weak areas I will improve on in my life. Reading has never been too great of a hobby of mine but I truly do plan on changing that. 

(Rest in Peace Bowie: Source)

Growth Mindset

I have never heard the term "growth mindset" before watching Carol Dweck's videos; I must say it was a very interesting perspective of learning that gives the student a completely different view of grades and learning. I have noticed myself growing more and more into this type of mindset from the time I started college. I struggled with time management my first semesters here at OU and my grades reflected it. As I became more adapted to the college environment, I was able to do better in my classes. Once doing better in classes, I could really enjoy them and not focus so much on the grade itself, but all the cool knowledge I was gaining for my future career; I began having more of a growth mindset. I definitely will be looking more into this subject and learning more about it especially because I have witnessed myself grow more like this mindset as my college years have gone by. My goal for my remaining semesters of undergrad is to continue to do the best I can and go on to succeed in graduate school with the final hopes of getting my doctorate degree in a specific field of Chemistry.

(Kitty telling the truth: Source)

Storybook Favorites

After reading through some of the compiled storybooks I have found a few that appealed to me. The first being "LSD in a Yellow Submarine". Being a chemist I have always had a great interest in the effects psychedelic drugs can have on the mind and body; altering reality for them. The layout of this storybook was very colorful and also referenced the Beatles. These two things were great for drawing me in to check it out further. It was very easy to navigate and follow all throughout. It also incorporated some Farsi references which greatly appealed to me as well.

(Beatles Blotter: Source)

The second storybook that appealed to me was "Medusa: Victim or Villain?". This storybook was put together very nicely; not as aesthetically appealing as the previous storybook, but much more informative and enlightening. Medusa has been an interesting character to as me I have seen her appear in many movies and books throughout my life. I have always pictured her as the villain but this storybook has a different side to that which is what drew me in to further read what the writer has to say! The point of view from the ghost of Medusa is very convincing!

Last but not least, "Strange Ways to Die". This one caught my attention just from the title alone. I remember watching the television show 1000 Ways to Die when I was younger and could not ever take my eyes off the show while it was on. The homepage to this storybook mind you, is a little dark and daunting, but the stories are right out of an episode of 1000 Ways to Die. The stories are put together nicely and explained with great enough details. The grim reaper point of view adds for an even more interesting read.

Week 1 Overview UnTextbook

So much content for the course in this UnTextbook! Wow! For the upcoming weeks, I would like to learn about both the Classical and Biblical units. For week 2, I believe I will leaning towards "Ovid's Metamorphoses (Books 1-4)". I have always been fascinated with Greek mythology (half the reason I decided to take this course) and this section talks a lot about Zeus's love affairs which as always been of interest to me. For week 3, I would like to mix it up and pick something from the Biblical unit. Adam and Eve will be the section I decide to analyze for this week. I have always have a deep interest in the origins of man and the universe; this section will be very interesting for me brushing up  on my knowledge and going more in depth about the Biblical creation of man. 

For some other units that stuck out to me while browsing the 100 different sections, The first one to stand out was "The Life of Buddha". I have always been interesting in religion and studying the ways and beliefs of each different one. I read the book titles "Siddhartha" when I was younger and it really sparked a fascination with me. 

The next unit that caught my attention was the "Ancient Egyptian Myths and Stories". Egyptian art and culture has been a major inspiration for many of my art pieces I have created since beginning in high school. Learning about their stories and myths will only further my inspiration their culture has already given me artistically. 

Lastly, I cannot exclude "Persian Tales" from my future readings. Being half Persian, I understand truly how deeply rooted art and culture is embedded within Iran. This brought me great enjoyment to see a whole unit dedicated to Persian tales. My father has told me many of these tales as a child and they all have very meaningful and interesting insights. 

(Arash the Archer; character from a Persian
tale I remember being told as a child. Source)

Introduction

(Thinking. Source: Facebook)

Hello fellow bloggers! I have never "blogged" before so this is definitely been interesting so far and I am excited about using it in the future for this class; it is nice seeing everyone else's blogs so easily to see what their thoughts are. To get started my full name is Alexander Ahmad Okhovat. I am half Persian (fathers side) and currently am a senior studying Chemistry here at OU. My undergraduate studies have been a long fun ride but the end is near for me and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. My future plans are to further my Chemistry knowledge as much as possible and go on to graduate school. I would love to study elsewhere like somewhere in Colorado (my favorite place), California, Washington, Oregon, or any states in the western part of the country honestly. At this time in my life, I would absolutely love ending up in the pharmaceutical field working for a major company like Bayer as a senior research doctor. I have lived here in Norman my entire life; going to Community Christian School as a child, eventually transferring to Norman North High School, and finally ending up here at OU. My Dad, Uncle, and Aunt are all alumni here at OU so I am honored to follow in their footsteps studying what I am passionate about, science! One of my main accomplishments during my undergrad would be working with Dr. Nicholas; a research professor I have been interning with throughout most of my undergrad years. I have gained so much experience in the lab for the future chemistry career and I believe that was a major step on the right path to succeed on my journey. Over the break, I visited family in Texas mostly and spent the New Years on the beach of Galveston with my girlfriend, Lauren in a nice resort. Not only am I a scientist, but also an artist! In my free time when I am not in the lab, I am painting, stenciling, sketching, and I also electroform (process of metal plating) minerals with copper (check out my work in the student art gallery everyone!), and attend as much live music as possible. Hands down, Pretty Lights would be my favorite artist if I had to choose; I love the style of music he produces and artists that are similar.

(PRETTY LIGHTS. Source: Facebook)

On any and every vacation I get, I try my hardest to travel and explore more areas of this beautiful world I have yet to experience. The more I have traveled, the more I began realize how truly beautiful life and nature truly are. Science and art are in perfect sync with nature when I am inspired in my travels. Oh, and I also have the coolest cat on this planet (trust me) whose name is Phylix.

(Phylix, the best cat. Source Facebook)

Week 1 Storytelling: The Ant and the Dove

       The ant and the dove; two animals you would never suspect helping each other if their life paths so happen to cross. Maybe the dove would eat the ant or step on it accidentally and end the fragile life for the ant. A family of ants could overtake a hurt dove and ends its life. The point here is that nature tends to be very hesitant or violent when two different species come in interaction with each other. There are many stories out there that would oppose this idea; for example the classic fable of the lion and mouse. The mouse is able to remove the thorn from the lions paw relieving him from pain rather than be hesitant and scared of the wild beast. The story of the ant and dove can fit into this same category. Drinking from a small stream of water running beside the sidewalk in the heart of downtown Manhattan, a dove notices several ants attempting to move a twig from one side of the sidewalk. The ants are nearly trampled and terrified after numerous citizens nearly ending the lives of the ants unknowingly with the soles of their shoes. The dove felt compassion for these ants; a rare moment in nature where two different species feel compassion for the other. To save the ants from their grave on the Manhattan sidewalk, the dove carefully grabbed the small twig in its mouth, assured all the ants were secure on the twig, and glided gently to the outskirts of town in to the woods. The dove placed the twig by a small stream deep in the woods where no pedestrians could so harshly end the family of ant’s lives.

       Months have gone by now and the dove has returned to exact spot where the ants were once placed by the small running stream; this particular place in the forest is protected and rich with food so the dove returns here every so often when in hunt for food. The dove remembered placing the ants here but could see no signs of any ant life nearby. After scavenging and finding barely any food in the area, the dove notices a pile of berries collected by the ants; they are piled in the exact same spot where the twig was placed and still remains. The dove could not find any food in this area because the family of ants collected all the food and piled it for the dove in return of saving their families lives the day on the Manhattan sidewalk.

Author's Note: 

       This is a re-imagining of the classic "Ant and the Dove" Aesop's fable. In the original fable, the story is told by a stream of water still, but rather the Dove saves a single ant from drowning in the water by placing a blade of grass for the ant to cross on. Later, the ant witnessed the dove almost being killed by a man with a stone, but just before the stone was released the ant stung the foot of the man saving the life of the Dove. One act of kindness answered by another act of kindness between two different wild species. 

Bibliography:

       This story is based on the fable "The Ant and the Dove" in Aesop for Children, (anonymous) illustrated by Milo Winter. 

(Illustration of dove assisting the ant cross the stream
 with a blade of grass as described in Aesop's Fables. Source)

Colorado, My Favorite Place

Colorado is easily my favorite state due to all its natural beauty and enjoyment it brings to me every time I visit anywhere in it!

Road sign entering the state of Colorado. Source: Pixabay.

Comment Wall

Hello! My name is Alex Okhovat and I am currently a senior studying chemistry here at the University of Oklahoma!

(Comment Bubbles: Source)

(Pretty Light's Newest: Source)

Test!

This is my test post for my new blog! whaaaaa?!