Hello, everyone, I am Erika and I am terrible at blogging! Just kidding, I am slowly getting the hang of it. I am an English Writing major who has been at OU forever (I am ancient compared to some of you). I only have 3 semesters left after this one (Fall '17)! I am getting a minor in anthropology, the combination of the two makes this class the perfect fit. The best class that I took last semester was called Day of the Living Dead and it was a class that studied zombies as they appear in literature, being an English major is awesome! My biggest accomplishment last semester was making through Logic with my sanity - it was a philosophy class that counted as a math credit - honestly, I would've been better off with "real" math, let's just say that studying logic is not for me. Most of my summer was spent toiling away at Lowe's but my friends and I took our annual float trip (to float the Illinois River) at the end of July, it was a great way to end the summer. The Illinois River and more specifically Tahlequah, OK is home to a music festival in September called River Jam and another one called Medicine Stone and both festivals focus on Red Dirt music. Red Dirt is a subgenre of country music that focuses on musicality and song writing rather than commercial success unlike their Nashville counterparts.
I am always surrounded by many animals. Where I used to live there were 5 people, 4 cats, 3 dogs, and a snake! Now I live alone but I still have a mini-menagerie. I have a three-legged Great Pyrenees/Bernese Mountain Dog mix named Earl - he is secretly a polar bear, a tuxedo cat full of attitude named Arwen, and a rat - her name is Master Splinter.
(Earl the tripod)
(Arwen)
(Master Splinter)
Some of my hobbies include reading, writing, trying locally brewed craft beers, playing music, listening to live music, cooking, woodworking, and playing video games. I am currently re-reading American Gods by Neil Gaiman (the TV show on Starz is fantastic); I have a multitude of unfinished novels and short stories in the works. Currently, my favorite local beers are DNR brewed by Coop Ale Works and the plum wheat at the Brewhouse in Norman - both are highly recommended if you are of legal drinking age. I have played guitar since I was 13, I also play saxophone because Jazz is cool! I should really pick up my instruments more often than I do. When school is not in session you can find me at the Deli on Campus Corner every Monday to hear the Patron Aints play, there are also fantastic open mic nights all over town at places such as The Blue Bonnet on Main Street. As for cooking I never use recipes, I usually just make stuff up, more often than not I come up with something pretty tasty - I always joke that I should have a food truck - goals! I work at Lowe's so I am surrounded by tools and lumber all day - I learned most of my woodworking skills from the contractors and retired home builders that shop or work at the store. I have built an entertainment center for my game systems, a life-sized Jenga set, a few cornhole boards, and I am currently building shelves for my office with built in bookends. I have loved video games since I got my very first game system when I was a kid, it was a Nintendo 64 and my favorite game was Super 64 Mario. I visited the National Video Game Museum in Frisco, TX in June and got to play an abundance of old and new systems and games. I am currently playing my way through The Witcher III: Wild Hunt as well as reading the books that inspired the game series.
(Geralt of Rivia from The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt provided by Wikipedia)
(American Gods Neil Gaiman's Preferred Text from Amazon)
I think I have rambled enough. Here's to a great semester, cheers!
It is so great to find a future writer in this class, Erika! You can use this class as a kind of experimental laboratory to try out different kinds of writing that might work, might not, just to see what happens, without the kind of pressure you might have in a class for your major. And your pet pictures are so sweet: I think this may be the first time that there has been a pet rat in the class before. He looks adorable! And here's a fun coincidence: I was just reading Dana's introduction, and she also plays saxophone. You have convinced me that I need to read The Witcher sooner rather than later (I have heard such good things, and I was a Polish major in college so that makes me even more curious), and I am hoping this class will be the occasion for you to have lots of fun writing adventures!
ReplyDeleteP.S. I am also a huge fan of American Gods, and am glad you say the TV show is good. I am kind of scared to watch it because I like the book soooo much! :-)
Hi Erika, your post is incredible! First of all, I love all your pets, and especially the fact that your cat is named Arwen (huge Lord of the Rings fan here). Also, it seems like English majors get to take the coolest classes — studying zombies in literature sounds fascinating. What's the best English class you've gotten to take? And playing the saxophone is really neat — I've played keys in a band, but I've always wanted to be able to play jazz music and have so much respect for those who can!! Best of luck with your music, semester, and studies!
ReplyDeleteHi Erika, your post was so interesting! I loved reading about all of your pets especially. They are all so cute! I also loved reading about your major being English writing. I am English education so I bet we end up getting a lot of overlap in the courses that we have to take. I absolutely love the literature courses that I have taken thus far. I'll have to look into the zombie class, I have heard nothing but good things from everyone that I know that has taken it before.
ReplyDeleteErika,
ReplyDeleteSuch an interesting post! I am fascinated by your variety of interests. First, I am fascinated that you took a Logic class! I have heard of it from several friends, but never had the opportunity to take it while at OU. I think this is such an interesting subject, and have always wondered how it plays into debate and verbal reasoning. Would you recommend it? Also, glad that you enjoyed locally brewed craft beers. I have been on a mission lately to try as many different ones as I can...One of my favorite spots is the restaurant The Library in Norman! You should check it out if you haven't been there before.
I think I would've been more interested in the Logic class if it had been more about debate and verbal reasoning. The structure of the course was odd, it was basically taking simple arguments - mot didn't actually make sense - such as , "If x is y then y is x if and only if z," then translating them into math-like formulas. I have a lot of friends who work for The Good Life, the company that owns The Library so I have been several times. I frequent another one of The Good Life's establishments, The Brewhouse on Main Street where they brew on site.
DeleteErika, you definitely seem like a very well-rounded person! I wouldn't worry about being "ancient". You will complete your degree on your own time! It is great that you are so passionate about your major. Also, I'm taking archaeology right now and I think being an anthropology minor would be super interesting. Your pets are all really cute, and I have to wonder why your rat's name is Master Splinter? I'm looking forward to reading some of your stories this semester.
ReplyDeleteHer name is inspired by the rat in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I’m a bit of a nerd, I even had a ninja turtle themed party for my 22nd birthday.
DeleteHi Erika. I love that you have a lot of animals, I do too. Seeing everyone's pets on the introduction post is my favorite part. It is really cool that you are an English major. I feel like you do not come across a lot theses day. It is also really cool that you are a writer. I am super jealous of people who can write, I definitely lack in that area. It is so cool that you play the saxophone, I have always wanted to learn how to play a different instrument (outside of the basics). Your post was great and best of luck this semester.
ReplyDeleteHi Erika! I am fascinated by all that you immerse yourself in. You have a lot of interests that have definitely made you well-rounded, and knowledgable about so much! I read that you like trying new craft beers. It only made me think of the course I am about to be taking called "Chemistry of Beer". We'll be learning about the fermentation process and also have a final project where we make our own recipe. I believe it is open to all majors, but specifically "seniors". Please consider looking into it if you have time in your schedule! I am sure you would enjoy it. But, I am looking forward to reading your stories throughout the semester! Nice to meet you!
ReplyDeleteHi Erika! First of all I would like to say that I enjoyed reading about your pets. I also have several different types of animals and I think it's awesome. Writing is something that I tend to struggle with so I admire your passion to become a best-seller. I hope it all works out for you and good luck this semester!
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ReplyDeleteHi Erika!
DeleteCongrats on making it through your Logic class last semester, hopefully this semester all of your classes are ones that you will really enjoy. It sounds like you had a good summer that included a nice get away. Every summer a group of my friends from high school will take a float trip mostly in Tahlequah but last year we floated the Noel River. It’s always a lot of fun and I bet you had a blast with your friends! I hope your having a great semester so far and I can’t wait to see the rest of your posts!
Hello Erika! It is great that you are taking this class, seeing how you want to be a writer one day. What kind of books are you thinking of writing? I myself am partial to young adult novels, mainly because I can read them and then pass them down to my younger sisters. Thank you for the suggestions for the locally brewed beers! I had no idea that there were places that made it locally. My family loves trying new kinds of beer, so it will be nice to have something to suggest the next time they visit me. Your pets are absolutely adorable! I love the TMNT reference with your pet rat.
ReplyDeleteHey Erika! I love video games as well and I am looking forward to building my own entertainment center and a nice gaming rig for my computer and consoles upon graduation. The three photo's of you're animals are very cute and I love the names of your cat and rat that you chose. I'll be sure to look into the local brews you suggested! Since you like writing it's a good thing you found this course and I hope it helps you become the writer you want to be.
ReplyDeleteErika,
ReplyDeleteI've got to be honest after reading this I am feeling a little inadequate ! You clearly have so many talents - writing, music, animal raising?? - it's so awesome that you have so many things that you are passionate about. I actually just started going to the Deli this year to listen to live music, it's an absolute blast! I also really enjoyed the pictures of your sweet pets - I love animals but sadly only have a dog and she lives with my parents. I'm excited for you that you'll be finishing up school soon and sending you major happy thoughts for your last three semesters! Woohoo!
Hey Erika, thanks for sharing your introduction! Your heading it really bold, I like it! I hope you really do become the next best selling author because what a cool thing to say I got to read some of your original posts. Your pets are so cute, I loved that you shared pictures. You should definitely open a food truck, I would so go to that! Anyways, best of luck with everything!
ReplyDeleteHi Erika,
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to meet another aspiring future best seller! I too would like to be an author one day and share new stories with the world! I absolutely love Tahlequah, Oklahoma! My family and I used to go camping there every year!
Your pets are adorable!! Thank you for sharing pictures! and Master Splinter is a genius name! All you need now are four little turtles :)
I'm so glad I got to meet you! Have a great rest of the semester!
Hi Erika,
ReplyDeleteI really liked the tone of your story! It had a nice rhythm to it and it flowed really well. I would go through and read it over again very carefully though, you have a few instances where you're missing commas or a word. Those are easy fixes that come with close reading so no big deal.
I think you could lengthen the intro and conclusion a little more so they're more cohesive with the overall story. Or, you don't even really need those parts because the main story functions well on its own. I like the idea of combining different stories but I don't know exactly how cohesive those stories are together. I think I need a little more story, a little more detail, for it to totally make sense.
Overall, great job!!
Hi Erika!
ReplyDeleteIt is nice to meet you! I admire your talent and will to become an author. I hate writing and really struggle to do so, so I am envious of everyone who enjoys it and it comes easy for.
Your animals are adorable. I am a huge dog fan! My neighbor's dog is also a tripod. He is the sweetest thing. I wanted to adopt one from an animal shelter but I did not have a place for it in Norman, and we already have too many dogs at my parent's home. I am excited to graduate and get a place where I can have dogs!
Hi Erika!
ReplyDeleteIt is nice to meet you! My friends and I also go on a float trip every summer to the river and I have a blast! Its a long day of drinking and floating but it is so much fun. I also really enjoy trying new craft beers. I have tried over 100 different beers and I have had both that you have mentioned. I loved the picture of your pets. Its funny you call your three legged dog tripod! Haha
Erika,
ReplyDeleteIt's great to find another lover of writing. While my major isn't English Writing - it's English Education - I hope to be an author in the future, simply because it's one of my favorite things to do, and I would love to share it with the world. I absolutely love that you have a three-legged dog, by the way. I love dogs as it is, and it's even cuter that his name is Tripod! I hope your semester is going well, and I look forward to reading some of your stories, and maybe get some inspiration for my own!
Hi there Erika!
ReplyDeleteWell I know we are nearing the end of this course, but I guess its never to late to meet new people, so its nice to meet ya!
I am crying at your photo of your pets!! What an amazing combination of animals that all live together! I mean seriously, it must be a comedy show every night at your home!
I love that you love your major so much! One of my roommates, Morgan, is an english major and she raves about all the different classes you guys get to take.
Good luck with the rest of your semester!
Erika,
ReplyDeletefirst off, I am super jealous that you took a class called Day of the Living dead and got to study literature that had zombies in it. Sounds like a really fun class and a lot of fun reading. You are making me second guess my choice of Psychology major. I also feel like I have been at OU forever. I have finally made it to my last semester in the Spring so just hold on you are almost there. What I find nice about being older and going to college is that you can enjoy a nice glass of wine, or beer, while you work on assignments. Good luck on your finals!
Hi, Erika! I immediately applaud you for being an English Writing major, English isn’t my strong suit so it interesting to meet people who are. But the class that you mentioned does seem interesting. You reminded me that I need to re-read American Gods and then I’ll watch the TV show, so thank you. Good luck on the last days of this semester and the ones following!
ReplyDelete