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)

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.