Hi! My name is Kaylen Nguyen. I enjoy writing as a hobby (which makes me really happy that it’s a big part of this class) and have been doing it for about eight years now. I hope to publish a book of short stories or poetry one day! I like writing for others and doing requests for fandoms (I do get really strange ones, though), as well as developing my own character (she's like my child. I love her). It’s actually a bit strange writing my own stories for class and a bit difficult because my writing style involves all lower case. I also like drawing, but that’s a different story. I’m definitely not good at it since I haven’t consistently practiced, but I’m trying to stay patient and get better (here’s hoping).
My major is Pre-Nursing and I hope to attend OUHSC next fall. I hope to become a nurse practitioner in a few years. This actually isn’t my first mythology course; the first class I ever had in college was Classical Mythology. I really wasn’t too interested in it at first and kind of just chose it in all honesty. I ended up loving the course. It was a lot of reading, but it was interesting (in really weird ways), so I really enjoyed it! I think my biggest accomplishment last semester was just surviving anatomy. Roughest class I have ever taken.
I usually just watch comedy shows, like The Office, Parks and Rec, or Bob’s Burgers. As for my music taste, I can’t really say I prefer a genre because it’s kind of all over the place. I do like indie music a lot, though! I get a lot of inspiration for writing from lyrics, especially from the group Daughter. I also like Tinashe-- she actually performed here a few months ago, but I wasn’t able to go. The feeling of having one of your favorite singers perform ten minutes away from you is more painful than it should be. I love listening to soundtracks from games, too. I have quite a bit on my phone that I constantly listen to. I also really love playing video games!
Last but not least: I have a dog named Bailey who is basically like a lazy grandma.
(Personal photo of Bailey from October 2016)
It sounds like this class can be a fun one for you, Kaylen! You can use the storytelling as a low-pressure way to experiment with different styles... and in a lot of ways, the re-telling of traditional stories is very similar to writing fan fiction, working with characters who already exist but going your own way with the story.
ReplyDeleteCapitalization: that is one of the weird features of English; there are other languages that don't have any upper-/lower-case distinctions! There is a book by the Indian writer Devdutt Pattanaik that I use in the Indian Epics class, and in the introduction he explains how he actually likes writing in English about the gods and goddesses, and also the Gods and Goddesses, because the upper-/lower-case difference helps him to express his ideas differently in English than in a language written in an Indic script which doesn't have that difference, and of course when we are speaking English, there's no lower- or upper-case either.
For this class, if you want to do your stories in an all lower-case style, you can do that - just make sure to include a quick note at the top of the story to alert your readers, and maybe even tell them why you prefer that style. Then you can find out from different readers how they react to that, since they will see your lower-case style in the story compared to standard writing in the author's note, which would give them a chance to see the difference side by side! You've actually got me curious about that too. I've read poetry that was all lower-case, but never prose. :-)
Thanks so much! I'm very relieved to know that you'll let me write in lower-case :^).
DeleteOh my, your dog is precious! I am so proud of you for surviving anatomy! That class is a STRUGGLE... I mean, I had to take it twice so... I am impressed! I LOVE The Office, but I have not seen the other two shows. I have heard good things though and want to watch them! It's very cool that you are a writer! I like writing, but I don't have the passion that you do. I think that is really awesome!
ReplyDeleteThank you! She's super cute but she kind of acts like a cat (aka ignoring me most of the time). Yes, anatomy was a huge challenge...I was actually close to taking it again.
DeleteWow, this is seriously the perfect class for you! It is really interesting that you prefer to write in all lowercase. It is really cool that you have your own style though. I am so sorry you had to take Human Anatomy last semester. That is, without a doubt, the most difficult class I have ever taken in my life. You probably won't believe me now, but you will miss that class eventually. I miss lab a lot nowadays and it has been over a year since I took it. Your dog is super cute too!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I actually do miss lab already because I had an awesome group and TAs to help out.
DeleteI dig your blog design. Simple, nice color scheme, very readable and pretty.
ReplyDeleteDo you hang around websites like Tumblr, Wattpad or Ao3? I also write as a hobby and spend a lot of time around those sites. Can I ask what fandoms you’re in? Also, I agree it’s cool that this class has a writing element. Classical mythology and other lore are great storytelling inspiration for me. Hopefully for you too!
Thank you!! I'm actually on all three of those sites :^)!! I don't post my fanfics on tumblr most of the time, but I post a few on Wattpad (honestly I'm very lazy because you can't use html for wattpad) and Ao3. I'm mainly on deviantArt, though! It's cool to meet another person on those sites! I'm in quite a bit of fandoms actually; the ones I write for would be like Haikyuu, Final Fantasy, Mystic Messenger, Overwatch, and tons of anime fandoms. How about you?
DeleteHi Kaylen. First of all, I can tell you enjoy writing, it was a joy reading how well structured your introduction is. I have heard anatomy is tough, I’m glad you were able to pass through it! I feel like every major has a course or two that are really tough but teach you a lot of content as well as habits! Your dog Bailey is very cute! Surprising to know she’s like a lazy grandma haha
ReplyDeleteHey! Thank you! Oh yeah, it was definitely a huge pain but it was well worth it. She's oddly chill for a pomeranian; she actually doesn't play with toys or anything. Just stares at me in disapproval :(
DeleteI think it's so cool that you love writing, but you're majoring in pre-nursing. Most nursing majors I know shy away from writing, so I think it's great that you love it so much. You are a really good writer, from what I can tell from your introduction. I love writing as well, and I can testify to getting very attached to the characters you've created. It's always incredible to know you created a world of your own. I love the Office and Parks and Rec as well. I'm actually in the process of watching Parks and Rec (on season 3) so I'm excited to keep watching it. Your dog is precious also! It was good to learn about you and I'm excited to read what you've written.
ReplyDeleteOh really? I had no idea. Thank you!! Ah yes, the attachment makes me weak because I think about my character a lot and love telling people about her. I haven't finished Parks and Rec actually but I hope you enjoy the rest of it!!
DeleteHi Kaylen. It's nice to meet you. I think it's great that you have such a wide array of interests; nursing, writing, different music, etc. I enjoy writing as well and I had a similar experience with my first (this) mythology class. I chose it because it fit the bill for a non major elective and it sounded like it might be interesting. I really enjoy some mythology though, as it turns out. I've always loved to read and write but I've never been confident in my abilities with writing. I used to write songs and I would throw them away if anybody saw them. LOL. I'm working on a story now but I've been really worried that it will be horrible and I have been putting off making any progress on it. That's partially because I have no confidence and partially because the story, although partially fictional, is very personal to me. I do hope to publish it as a full novel someday but who knows if that will happen?
ReplyDeleteHi Kaylen! Your dog is adorable! I also have a dog named Theodore! You can find him on my Intro page as well lol. I too love to write, but because I can't seem to find enough time to, I haven't written much. I usually keep a journal around me whenever I am able to though. I can only imagine that Anatomy would be a rough course. I took Human Phys and that was so tough that I literally dropped the course. I wasn't ready for it apparently. Though I don't have to take Anatomy for my major, I would still love to take the course and understand and examine the human body in more depth.
ReplyDeleteI can definitely agree with you in that I don't have a favorite genre of music that I listen to. I listen to a huge lot from KPop (Korean Pop) to American Country music. It's an odd mixture, but it works.
It was so great to meet you!! Good luck in getting into OUHSC nursing school!!
I write as a hobby too, and I feel the same way about drawing. I also hope to write a book one day, probably when I old and gray. What are your fandoms? I’m currently in The 100 fandom right now, season four just started back up again last week and I am already dying. CAN’T EVEN.
ReplyDeleteI had friends who took anatomy a couple semesters ago, congratulations for surviving!
Parks and Rec, man, I love it. I aspire to be like April and Leslie even though that’s a paradox. My brother likes The Office, but I have not gotten into yet. I think I am comparing it to Parks and Rec, so I have to get out of that mindset before I watch it.
Bailey is a pretty puppy!
Your dog is adorable, I'm always jealous of the people who are able to have one in college. Creating your own character while also working toward nursing school is a tall order and an impressive task to be undertaking. What kind of story are you writing for your character? What is the strangest story that someone has asked you to write for them? Having a hobby for writing will certainly make this class easier to get through.
ReplyDeleteKaylen, I love your dog already. Is she a Pomeranian? My brother has one and look just alike! I think it's really cool that you love writing and drawing and also want to be a nurse. Most people identify left OR right brained, but you seem to me both! I also love Parks and Rec and The Office. My roommate and I used to watch those shows religiously. Well, thank you for sharing some stuff about yourself and good luck this semester!
ReplyDeleteHey Kaylen! I was going to as the same thing as Paulina, Bailey looks like a Pomeranian. Your passion for writing is definitely shown through your work, as I've seen skimming your story for this week. I think it's really obvious when someone enjoys what they're writing, rather than just writing without enjoyment. Also, I think your career goal is awesome. Anatomy is definitely a hard class, but very much so worth it when you start Nursing school.
ReplyDeleteGood luck in the future!
Hi Kaylen!
ReplyDeleteFirst off, I love your blog! The color scheme you chose is so soothing and makes me feel really calm. I am obsessed with Parks and Rec, it is probably my all time favorite show. Your dog is also really cute! I have a golden doodle named Chloe. She is adorable but also pretty crazy. I have heard anatomy is crazy hard, so props to you for getting through it! I’m sure it is a huge relief.
Hi Kaylen,
ReplyDeleteIt’s really unique that you write stories in all lowercase! I kind of want to read some of your stuff, especially any poetry you have. I’m a sucker for poetry and music. Like you, my music taste is very diverse. Youth by Daughter is one of my all-time favorites. Your pup, Bailey, is adorable! Good luck on your future endeavors.
Hey Kaylen,
ReplyDeleteThe background of your blog is neat! I need to customize mine more now that we are later into the semester! It's awesome that you have such a diverse set of hobbies. Writing, drawing, and Pre-Nursing seem dispersed, but I think that's a great thing to do. Do you try drawing pictures for your stories and characters? That would be really cool if you did the art for your stories too. Good luck this semester!
Kaylen! You sound like an interesting person with a lot of varied interests. I can't say that I feel the same about creative writing as you, because I personally don't like it. But I think that nursing sounds like a great fit for you and I'm sure OUHSC would be happy to have you! I start at OUHSC for medical school this fall and I am super excited about it!
ReplyDeleteHi there Kaylen!! It was really great to meet this little piece of you that you've given the class in your introduction! Your puppy is the cutest little thing!! I've been thinking about getting a new puppy soon and it would have to be one about that size that can fit all of the cute puppy clothes! It takes so much hard work and commitment to be a nurse! I commend you for aspiring to that!
ReplyDeleteYour post is really sweet and to the point. I liked how you put your dog in the post to cause I am a huge animal lover. I have two cats and a dog. I love them all dearly but since I have a new pup sometimes she can get annoying! I think you will do great as a nurse practitioner and shows how smart you must be to go into that field!
ReplyDeleteI can totally relate you having your favorite band play in the same city as you and not be able to go. Last year one of my favorite bands performed in OKC the weekend before my birthday. Tickets were cheap, but I couldn’t find anyone who was free to go. It was so disappointing. I am watching Parks and Rec for the first time right now, and I love it so far. It is such a funny and clever show.
ReplyDeleteHello, my cousin! I thought it’d be fitting to have you as my last blog to comment on for the year. First of all, I have already read some of your written works and loved them, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen your drawings. SHOW ME NEXT TIME. I would love to see what you’ve done so far! Secondly, I was there when Tinashe sang. I have a video of her if you want it! Finally, I would like to say Bailey really is a lazy grandma, but she’s the cutest lazy grandma around :D
ReplyDelete