Tech Tip: Blogger Template

I was able to play around with my blogger template and background for my portfolio. I wanted to change the dull and basic background, and I was able to do just that. I added in a background image for my portfolio homepage. I also changed the color scheme to something that I thought was more visually appealing. I think visual representation is crucial for your readers. I would encourage everyone to mess around with the creative options until they find something that they like.

Reading Notes: Japanese Fairy Tales, Part B

I read the second half of the Japanese Fairy Tale Unit today. I specifically wanted to focus in on one of the stories. So, I took notes over The Goblin of Adachigahara story from the unit. I really enjoyed this story.

• The story is very good at creating an eerie atmosphere
• You can tell from the beginning that the hut belongs to the cannibal goblin
• The description of the hut and its inhabitant creates an uneasy feeling
• I really liked the thoughts of the traveler being included
• The author does a good job of giving the reader the emotions of the traveler
• I was hoping to see the traveler doze off as he stayed in the hut
• I thought it was funny how the goblin made such a point to not wander to the back side of the room
• This only invoked curiosity for the traveler
• The room of bones was filled with this ominous and revolting presence
• I appreciated the amount of detail put into that scene
• The emphasis on the traveler's religion was interesting
• That seems to be a light theme of the story
• I liked how the goblin transformed during the escape scene
• This ensured that the true nature of the beast came to light
• I would like to expand on this story
• I think there could be an altered ending or a continuation of the story
• It was pleasing to see that the rumors of the old goblin woman were actually true
• I could write a story about people confronting the goblin once and for all
• That would have a very climatic ending

(A photo of an old goblin woman. Source: Max Pixel)

Bibliography: The Adventures of Kintaro, The Golden Boy from Japanese Fairy Tales by Yei Theodora Ozaki. Source: UnTextbook

Reading Notes: Japanese Fairy Tales, Part A

This week I chose to read the Japanese Fairy Tales Unit. I really liked The Adventures of Kintaro, The Golden Boy story. That is what I chose to take notes over today. There is a lot of cool elements to this story that I hope to bring out in my retelling.

• Kintaro is like a child of the forest
• He has befriended many different animals and they watch over him
• Kintaro and the animals have quite a bit of dialogue
• It seems that the animals are his best friends
• I am surprised at how strong Kintaro truly is
• He is just a boy, but he is able to achieve incredible feats of strength
• Kintaro completely uprooted a tree to create a bridge across the river
• Kintaro was soon found by a general in the army
• He had seen what strength Kintaro possessed and brought him to the capital
• It was a bit sad to see Kintaro leaving his mother and friends in the forest
• The story did a good job in capturing the emotion of the moment
• Kintaro was trained to be the head of the Four Braves
• This was a testament to his strength and ability as a child
• I think I could even make my own story about Kintaro

After reading this story, I feel like there are a lot of possibilities. I could retell the upbringing of Kintaro. I could also create my own story about his adventures. The story ends with Kintaro beheading a monster in a cave. I could create a story from this and make it a great adventure that Kintaro embarks upon. I will try to brainstorm about this for the next couple of days.

(A statue of the Golden Boy, Kintaro. Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Bibliography: The Adventures of Kintaro, The Golden Boy from Japanese Fairy Tales by Yei Theodora Ozaki. Source: UnTextbook