Week 1: Introduction to Hannah!

All About Hannah!

Hello People! My name is Hannah Young and I am a New Orleans born, Dallas raised, International Studies major student at the University of Oklahoma! This is my very last semester here at OU, so I'll be graduating in December after three and a half years here. I have a mom and younger sister named Avery (she's 17 and we're very close) that live in Dallas and a dad that lives in Baltimore!

(Avery and I visiting Baltimore this past Spring Break! Selfie)

I am focused on the Middle East within my college but I have a French minor. I have studied the language for 7 years and am nearly fluent, so I figured why not! Sometimes I wish I took Arabic and then I think, hmm bettah not (Pitch Perfect reference I hope you caught). I love going to school in Oklahoma. The pace, scenery, and people are all fantabulous and my experience here has been one to remember for eternity. 

(Football selfie with friends!)

Unfortunately, I do not plan on doing anything with my major. I am on the fast track to becoming a teacher right now! I was on the road to becoming a CIA officer, but due to the fact that I am incredibly tall and have a couple tattoos, I could not be admitted (CIA Officers need to be average looking [shorter than I am] and have no identifiable marks on them). 

Speaking of teaching, this past summer I was a 7th grade Social Studies teacher in Austin, Texas for summer school and I absolutely loved it! It confirmed my career path for me. I am waiting to hear from Teach for America to see if I'll be teaching with them starting in June! Fingers crossed, I move to New Orleans or Austin for that. I live just by the Duck Pond here in Norman in a house with two roommates. I have two dogs (a mix of Chihuahua and Boston Terrier and a Maltese) named Vino and Barkley ! 

(My first class of students! I miss them all so much.)

I studied abroad last year in Vichy, France and loved everything about that experience, so maybe I'll teach English there one day and be able to use my French! During the trip, I was also able to spend a lot of time in Germany, Austria, and Italy. Best summer of my life. 

(This is me cartwheeling across Europe! No lame posed pictures! Photo credits to Alissa Lindsey :])

I also am the Director of Childcare and Youth and Children's Ministries Associate for First Presbyterian Church Norman, so that job keeps me pretty preoccupied. I am a happy-go-lucky girl with spunk for life!

(Me hiking the Arbuckles! So pretty out there! Photo credits to Alec Forbes)

Week 1- Hannah's Storybook Favorites!

Hannah's Storybook Favorites!

1. Flipped Scripts
2. Nursery Rhymes Gone Wrong
3. The Prince Diaries

    I looked through a lot of the Storybooks provided as examples from previous students, and I mean a lot. Every single one I looked at was awesome and unique, showing that each person has a creative mind similar to a finger print; not one is exactly alike. After selecting my three favorites, I noticed a pattern between my choices that show my finger print of a mind as well! My three favorites are Flipped Scripts, Nursery Rhymes Gone Wrong, and The Prince Diaries. These three all have one big thing in common: they're all opposite perspectives of the status quo! Stories from the vanquished, reality of nursery rhymes, and the view from two princes! I really enjoy viewing things from a perspective that no one ever pays attention to, I do it a ton for my International and Area Studies major. I learn so much more about the big picture and why people do things or how something happened if I see it from both sides of the story. For example, America portrays Iran as a horrible country with huge problems that we need to control, but in reality Iran is the most stable nation in the Middle East. I only learned this information by seeing it from the Iranian view! Everyone knows the original story from the point of view of heroes or heroines; happy nursery rhymes; The Princess Diaries, I want to know the other side of all stories! For Flipped Scripts, I really enjoyed how the dialogue was set up like a radio talk show, or television show, that was very original! The setting at the Styx River was also very fitting. For the Nursery Rhymes gone wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed the point of view coming from the perspective of Betty Blue and not the author of the Storybook, which was wonderful! It served as a reference point from a relevant source; I thought it was very cute. Last but not least, The Prince Diaries was hilarious. You never get to see their point of view! Just princesses. The perspective coming from someone who happened across their diaries made it have a secretive edge and that was very intriguing for me. 

Week 1- Un-Textbook Choices!

Un-Textbook Choices!

1. Ancient Egyptian Myths and Stories
I think Egyptian culture and history is one of the most incredible cultures in the world.I really don't know much more about Egypt past politics, so it'd be awesome to hear a bit more culture!

2. Folklore of the Holy Land
My major of International Studies has a focus on the Middle East, so naturally I am drawn to all things Middle Eastern, especially with Islamic ties.

3. Jewish Fairy Tales
I literally do not know anything about the Jewish faith or practices, so this will be my get out of my     comfort zone interest! I think it's intriguing.

4. Indian Fairy Tales
Since I live in Oklahoma and Native American history and culture is everywhere here, I really want and I need to know more about it! Also my new roommate is 100% Cherokee so Native American culture is all around me!

Week 1- Storytelling by Hannah: The Band-Wagoners and the Fan

The Band-Wagoners and the Fan

   After the Saints vs. Panthers playoff game where the Saints lost their chance to go to the Super bowl, a group of friends who formerly claimed to be Saints fanatics were degrading and condemning the team of Cajun decent with great contempt.

“What a team of horribly disappointing players,” one of them blurted as he took off his Saints foam finger and threw it to the ground.

“Yeah, Brees didn’t even take his head out of the ground long enough to throw the ball farther than his nose,” another so rudely declared, throwing his hands in the air.

“I knew I should have been a Panther’s fan from the start. I’m getting rid of all my black and gold clothes as soon as I can. Goodwill can deal with them now,” scoffed the third. The conversation had been going on like this for quite a while and continued until a devoted Panther fan happened to hear the derogatory dialogue. The committed fan shook his head in disdain and decided he couldn't bite his tongue any longer. He stopped to interrupt the obvious band-wagoners to say,

"If those Saints had turned the odds in their favor and won that game, you all would be having a very different conversation." The group turned to look at the fan with ashamed faces and the fan continued with his hands placed firmly on his hips and a scowl on his face, "That team deserves your praise no matter the outcome; win or lose." The shame grew on the band-wagoners’ faces and they attempted to defend themselves,

“Well we just-,“ but before they could finish, the fan added,

“And the Panthers don’t need your support, so don’t think of jumping wagons.”

The ease of which one can add insult to injury and chose the better option is baffling. 

Author's Note: The above story is based on a story from Aesop's Fables: The Dogs and the Fox. In this fable a fox finds a pack of dogs feasting on a lion's corpse. The fox tells the dogs that if the lion had not been dead, they would have had to face the ferocity of the lion and not have had a feast. The moral being that it is extremely easy to kick someone while they are already down. 

Bibliography:

Story: "The Dogs and the Fox" by Aesop, from Aesop's Fables (2006). Web Source: Aesop's Fables

Image: The Dogs and the Fox. Source: Fox and Dogs

Week 1 - New Orleans, Venice, and Vichy: The Three Favorite Places of Me

Oh the Places You'll Go? No. Oh the Places I've Been!

Travel is one of life's many luxuries and I am fortunate enough to have had a taste of the world outside of my home soil.

New Orleans, Louisiana

I was raised in Dallas, TX but born in New Orleans, LA and that is where my heart planted its roots. My family is all from the New Orleans area and the Cajun spirit lives in me! We go back at least twice a year and my plan after I graduate is to high-tail it back there!

(Bourbon Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans Source: Wikipedia)

Venice, Italy

Studying abroad last year was the best experience of my life. I studied in France, but I traveled a lot all over Europe and Venice, Italy was by far the most wonderful. The sounds and smells and people were incredible. The isolation from cars was so surreal and awe inspiring!

(A picture of me in Venice, Italy! Photo credits to Debbie Young)

Vichy, France

This was the center of my study abroad experience! My university was located here and I spent so much time making wonderful memories in this beautiful and historical city. I speak fluent French and took language intensive courses while studying there. Vichy is so different from Paris, that is why I love it, too. Paris was too busy. Vichy was just enough of an exciting place to keep me on my toes, but not overwhelmed!

(Ancient castle in Vichy, France Source: Wikipedia)