A Prosaic Introduction

Hello! My name is Kevin Monreal, I am currently a senior at OU, finally. One of the coolest things about my major, Information Studies, is the flexibility that it gives you to pursue your own path and interests. I want to use my degree to work in the IT industry, I already work part-time for OU IT where I'm obtaining valuable experience. In the future, I am hoping to focus more on the realm of cybersecurity. Last semester was a great semester for me, my two favorite classes were data mining and website design; I know they sound really boring for some people but I found them interesting, and I learned a lot. Last semester, apart from passing all my classes, a significant accomplishment was getting a 4.0 for the semester, finally bringing my GPA out of life support.

I have lots of hobbies. I like to read, the most recent books that I read were "Beyond Good and Evil" by Friedrich Nietzsche, "The Alchemist" by Paulo Cohelo, and "Norse Mythology" by Neil Gaiman. I do lots of commuting and like to listen to a podcast while driving, lately, I've been immersed in history podcasts, I recommend Dan Carlin's podcast if you like history, it is phenomenal. I play the guitar, although not very good, and I also like to play video games. I got my hands into an Oculus system and have been getting into Virtual Reality gaming, it is incredible. I am also excited because this year one of my favorite shows, Game of Thrones, is coming back for its last season, so I am looking forward to that. If I had time, I would like to start drawing and painting again. When I was little, I would make all kinds of paintings. Lately, I been thinking about remaking an old painting I have about a wizard taming a dragon, but I just don't have the time. Fun fact about me, I'm a certified grill master, but I hate cooking.

Taming a Dragon, Work & Picture by me. 

Comments

  1. UnknownJanuary 18, 2019 at 2:33 PM

    Hey Kevin,

    It was great to read through your introduction. I had actually heard relatively little about the major of information studies before reading your post, so this was a great learning experience for me. Congrats on being a senior. I think it is awesome that you like to read and play guitar. I would love to learn how to play an instrument someday.

    Best of luck this semester!

    -Andy

    ReplyDelete
  2. Moriah C. January 23, 2019 at 1:20 PM

    Hi Kevin! One question, what motivated you to become a grill master if you have cooking? I really hope you end up restoring that painting, it seems so interesting! I also love listening to podcasts and audio books during my drives; right now I am getting through Michelle Obama's "Becoming". I am SUPER excited for Game of Thrones to come out, too! One of my favorite memories was meeting Kit Harrington in London. Looking forward to what else you contribute this semester!
    -Moriah C.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kevin MonrealJanuary 25, 2019 at 1:26 AM

      I used to work for Red Lobster. I just worked my way up the kitchen and became a grill master, I even went to competitions and all, but sadly, cooking is not my passion. I am so jealous that you got meet Kit Harrington, must of been amazing!

      -Kevin

      Delete
  3. Rebecca MitchellJanuary 29, 2019 at 8:02 PM

    Hi, Kevin!

    First off, congratulations on rescuing your GPA! That is such an accomplishment and it must have felt great to not have to worry about it anymore! I, too, am finally a senior and will be graduating in May. I cannot wait to be done with university, at least for a couple of years. I am a history major and have always loved history so I will definitely check out that podcast you recommended, especially as I desperately need something to listen to during my hour-long commute to OU! Also, my sister just gave me Gaiman's Norse Mythology and I am excited to read it whenever I finally get the time (hopefully this summer!).

    Good luck with your last year and with whatever you chose to do afterwards!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anhthu TrinhJanuary 29, 2019 at 11:37 PM

    Hi Kevin,
    You are the very first Information Studies major I have met at OU. I was reading the other day, and OU is one of the top schools for this major, so you have come to the right place. I am always so impressed by people who work with computers and cyber security. It's definitely a whole new world out there. I hope you have more time painting after you graduate because looks like you are really good at it!
    Have a good semester!
    -Anhthu

    ReplyDelete
  5. Laura GibbsFebruary 1, 2019 at 1:46 PM

    Information Studies is such a great major, Kevin! And how great that you have web design experience! That is something new to most students in this class, which is why I recommend a basic website-builder like Google Sites, but of course you can whatever tools you like best or some new tool that you would like to learn. And have you played with Twine? Building Twine story-games is so much fun, and it's possible even someone like me who is not a coder; just an eager HTML-user. If you are curious, maybe you will want to give it a try: Twine Tech Tips. And the dragon painting is wonderful: now I'm really hoping you will do a dragon Storybook... you could build the story all around that painting! And in the Indian Epics class, you will see a lot of similarities between Game of Thrones and the Mahabharata (also the Ramayana, but way more in the Mahabharata) -- it's something that people in India are fascinated by too! Mahabharata "Game of Thrones" Google Search

    ReplyDelete
  6. CarlFebruary 10, 2019 at 7:45 PM

    Hey again Kevin!

    Cyber Security is a pretty sweet field to be entering right now. As the world gets more and more connected, the area will be crucial both personally and professionally. Props to you for engaging with such interesting material. Data mining and website construction are going to have (and do today) super relevant and interesting applications. But most importantly, big ups on the GPA. College is a time where, I think, the most important growth comes in our personal development. Having the dedication and work ethic from achieving a 4.0 will carry you far into anything you want- beyond the material of our classes.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Gage RobelenFebruary 11, 2019 at 8:47 AM

    Hey Kevin!
    Information Studies seems like a very interesting degree. In being fairly open, I can imagine it offers a lot of room to build into what you want to do. Cyber Security is definitely a really cool (and necessary) field at the moment. I'm hoping to maybe enter something related to the legal side of it.
    Good luck in your last semester! Maybe we'll crash into one another in IT one day!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Lance JohnsonMarch 4, 2019 at 11:51 AM

    Hey Kevin,

    Cybersecurity is a cool field to go into! My brother got his bachelor's in that, but doesn't use it currently. :/ I love Game of Thrones as well! Just a few more months! Maybe you'll get some inspiration to create totally new pieces of art from the upcoming season. You already know it's going to be grand. At the very least, I hope you get around to remaking that painting from your younger days.

    Best of luck!
    -Lance J.

    ReplyDelete
  9. JaclyndlAMarch 21, 2019 at 11:58 AM

    Hello Kevin,

    You definitely seem to have a rounded skill set. From tech to art to cooking, it sounds like you are capable of doing a lot. I am also looking forward to the next season of Game of Thrones. I just recently caught up, and I can see why everyone is so hyped about it. I hope you get time to paint and draw again soon!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Drew FazzinoMarch 23, 2019 at 11:09 PM

    Hey there Kevin!
    That’s awesome that you have rescued your GPA because I have also been rescuing mine the last year and a half, and I can tell you it sucks. You are definitely the first information studies major I have heard of, but I do not hear of many diverse majors over in the engineering quad where I rarely leave. Good luck with the rest of your semester!

    ReplyDelete
  11. L Christina MMarch 24, 2019 at 9:12 PM

    Hi Kevin!

    Congrats on your senior year. It is such an exciting time! I'm actually reading The Alchemist right now! I'm really enjoying it but unfortunately do not have very much spare time to finish it. Hopefully I'll be able to finish it up by the end of the month. It's so cool that you play the guitar. I play as well although I am not super great either. I can't wait to read your stories!

    ReplyDelete
  12. cwbullerApril 7, 2019 at 2:11 AM

    Kevin, it was really great getting to know you some through your introduction post. I think it is so cool that we are able to interact even though we are in two separate classes (I'm in Indian Epics). I think it is cool that having an online class like this allows us to do that. Again, it was great getting to know you some and the best of luck to you on your future endeavors.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Rose BlushApril 15, 2019 at 2:32 AM

    Hi Kevin,
    Your major sounds cool, or at least the flexibility part does! I don't know a whole lot about Information Studies, but congrats on making it this far! Sounds like graduation is coming up soon. I love reading and I enjoy mythology, plus Neil Gaiman is a brilliant author, so I have been meaning to read Norse Mythology. I have read some of the Game of Throne's books, but I don't watch the show. The new season started today however, so I am sure you were very excited.
    Good luck with the rest of this semester.
    -Ann

    ReplyDelete
  14. darrenApril 15, 2019 at 8:51 AM

    Hi, Kevin!
    I've never met an information studies major before. That's really neat! I think it's interesting how you mentioned Game of Thrones in your introduction because as I'm typing this, it is one day after the season premiere. I hope you enjoyed it! It's super cool that you mentioned virtual reality gaming in your introduction. That's something that is fairly new, and I hope that it soon becomes a staple of modern gaming in the near future. I'm very excited to see how virtual reality develops and the creative choices that game developers make with this new innovation.
    Have a great semester!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Madee McGillApril 15, 2019 at 4:53 PM

    Hi Kevin,
    I am also a senior too! Finally! We are on the last push until graduation! I think it’s awesome you are major in Information Studies. Having the ability to do web design is so cool! Have you ever thought about making your own video games?
    I also love listening to podcasts, I’m really into Crime junkie right now! Hope you have a great rest of the semester!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Week 2 Story: The Hare in the Moon

Image
Source: Rabbit in the Moon . The Hare in the Moon And it came to pass the Buddha was born a Hare and lived in the woods. With him lived many friends, and he taught those friends–animals and humans alike–many wise things: that the moral law should be observed–that alms should be given to the poor–and that holy days should be kept. One day the Buddha said: "Tomorrow is a fast day. Feed any beggars that come to you by giving from your own store of food." They all consented. An old friend and Cheesemaker came to Buddha. "I have nothing to give, oh wise Hare. For I have nothing to myself. My goats and cattle ran out of good grass in my fenced fields, and I cannot let them out because a Tiger has been taking them. My animals are starving, and I cannot make any cheese."  The Hare, thinking in contemplation on the Kusha Grass said "bring them here. I shall feed them my own grass and protect them." To which the Cheesemaker replied, "oh great Har...
Read more