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| A graphic on creativity (Writing Laboratory). |
Sunday, February 28, 2016
Week 6: Review
As usual, the final thing I do each week for this class is the backup/review everything. I have made sure to backup my blogger and google site - no worries there! I also made sure all of my declarations for the week had been completed! And finally, I read over the daily announcements for the week. My favorite post is actually from today, Sunday. It was on creativity (see below), and I just love that. I think sometimes it is good to be "by the book", but other times it is great to just let loose and let your imagination free!
Week 6: Famous Last Words
Week 6 down, 10 more to go! Only 75 more days until GRADUATION!!!! It is really crazy how fast this semester is going - and I can't decide if I like that or not. This week was not too eventful, but next week will be a doozy!
Reading For The Week
I finished up the Mahabharata, and was really pleased with how it ended. I will be using the story of Krishna for my storybook, and Krishna plays a big role in the Mahabharata. I really enjoyed getting to see the lives of the Pandava brothers play out - I think they could have done many things differently, but it made for a great story!Writing For The Week
This week I worked on a story about Dharma for my storybook. You can visit that story here - I think it turned out pretty good, if I do say so myself. I really enjoyed working off of the Vincent, Megan, and Brooke storyline. Vincent is an old man who is telling to young girls stories about the god Vishnu. The idea behind the storybook is to teach others about Vishnu, Ashtamangalas, and some basic Indian principles.Other Classes
I found out that I did pretty well on my Production exam - which was such a relief. I have a couple of tests coming up, so I am going to use that same growth-mindset approach and trust in my knowledge on the subjects! In Improved Recovery we have switched gears from waterflooding to simulators, which is exciting! Capstone is also coming together really nicely - we almost have all of our maps completed and now we are working on our midterm report.Outside Of School
Like I mentioned last week, I have set up my salt water aquarium (again...I actually got it last year, but it crashed on me during winter break). I have four little fish in there (all damsel fish - easier to flush a $5 fish than it is a $50 fish). You can see my little neon damsel fish below, his name is Spark McDark. The other four have yet to be named....we are going through the trial period so it is best to not get too attached to the fish (they may die...and if they have names it makes it more sad). |
| One of my fish, Spark McDark. |
Saturday, February 27, 2016
Growth Mindset: Self-Directed Learning
When browsing the Growth Mindset links, I came across an article called "Three Questions to Thrive as a Self-Directed Learner" (read it here). I figured this would be a good read because I am always looking for different approaches to learning (also, what's better than three simple questions?).
Question 1: What do you know? What do you not know?
The key here is to be self-aware. Understanding what you do/don't know is vital to being able to move forward and learn new things!
Question 2: How do you achieve goals to learn something new?
The next step is to identify how you learn! Maybe you are wanting to learn how to bake a cake - do you choose to follow a YouTube tutorial, go to a cooking class, or maybe just wing it? It doesn't matter which way you choose - as long as it fits your learning style!
Question 3: How do you show what you know? What you can do?
This is probably the part that I struggle with the most - being able to represent/communicate myself and my abilities with the outside world. I think it is so important to not sell yourself short. And while yes, there is such a thing as bragging, no one will get to know how cool you are until you give them a little piece of what makes you, you! I like to take pictures of my quilling and post it on social media - it is a nice way of saying "look at this cool thing I did". It is also important to use your self-learned skills to your advantage on things like resumes - for example, I always like to put my GPS skills on there. I have been making maps with a GPS since I was in junior high. This is a unique, self-learned skill, which is quite useful in many situations.
Question 1: What do you know? What do you not know?
The key here is to be self-aware. Understanding what you do/don't know is vital to being able to move forward and learn new things!
Question 2: How do you achieve goals to learn something new?
The next step is to identify how you learn! Maybe you are wanting to learn how to bake a cake - do you choose to follow a YouTube tutorial, go to a cooking class, or maybe just wing it? It doesn't matter which way you choose - as long as it fits your learning style!
Question 3: How do you show what you know? What you can do?
This is probably the part that I struggle with the most - being able to represent/communicate myself and my abilities with the outside world. I think it is so important to not sell yourself short. And while yes, there is such a thing as bragging, no one will get to know how cool you are until you give them a little piece of what makes you, you! I like to take pictures of my quilling and post it on social media - it is a nice way of saying "look at this cool thing I did". It is also important to use your self-learned skills to your advantage on things like resumes - for example, I always like to put my GPS skills on there. I have been making maps with a GPS since I was in junior high. This is a unique, self-learned skill, which is quite useful in many situations.
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| I think this is a nice breakdown of different steps you should take to learn something new! (Source: Beth Kanter). |
Learning Challenge: Time and Checklists
For this week, I wanted to do a learning challenge focused on time management. I am pretty good with planners/to-do lists/goal setting/etc. but I am always looking for a way to be more efficient with my time. This week I read an article on checklists (read it here). It explains why small goals can actually help motivate us to accomplish BIG things.
First, when making a checklist, set real, small goals. The author of the article calls them "SMART" goals.
- Specific
- Measureable
- Attainable
- Realistic
- Time-bound
You need to be able to achieve these goals in the short-term aspect of the bigger goal.
The reason behind why this works? Dopamine - a chemical in our brain connected to good, positive feelings. It motivates us to continue doing those tasks (if something makes you feel good, you will want to keep doing that thing).
Personally, my desktop is filled with sticky-notes of checklists. I love organizing my life by class, assignment, outside of class, etc. You can see these lovely, color-coded, sticky notes below:
First, when making a checklist, set real, small goals. The author of the article calls them "SMART" goals.
- Specific
- Measureable
- Attainable
- Realistic
- Time-bound
You need to be able to achieve these goals in the short-term aspect of the bigger goal.
The reason behind why this works? Dopamine - a chemical in our brain connected to good, positive feelings. It motivates us to continue doing those tasks (if something makes you feel good, you will want to keep doing that thing).
Personally, my desktop is filled with sticky-notes of checklists. I love organizing my life by class, assignment, outside of class, etc. You can see these lovely, color-coded, sticky notes below:
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| My desktop - lots of checklists! |
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Week 6 Reading Diary cont: Narayan's Mahabharata
This is the final part of my reading diary for the Mahabharata by Narayan.
* * *
Hesitant Hero
Eeek, I always get uneasy when the phrase “bad omen” is used in these books. Like, you know exactly what is going to happen – destruction. Here, there is blood rain, earthquakes, and mad dogs. Gee. What a great way to start a battle.
I found Arjuna’s sadness at having to kill his family touching. But I really liked how Krishna explained the concept of “detached conduct”. It’s like with a jury having to decide a verdict – you cannot be biased. You have to be objective about the situation. The Kauravas have done wrong, and so the Pandavas must fix it. It is sure to be difficult, but it is the right thing to do.
The different battle formations were interesting to think about – I can picture a heron-shaped formation attacking the fish-shaped formation! I think this will be a good piece to add to my storybook tale on Krishna!
Delirium of Destruction
The fighting between Arjuna and Bhishma is so sad – neither wants to kill the other. Arjuna could easily take down his grandsire, but he is held back by his love for him. Bhishma is caught several times by Duryodhana – he is watching the Pandavas with love and admiration.
Okay – what the heck – Arjuna uses Sikandi as a human SHIELD. Sikandi is actually Amba reincarnated (Bhishma spurned her, so she came back as a male to take revenge), and since Bhishma knows this he will not shoot at her. So Arjuna just has Sikandi stand in front of him so he can take down his foe. How lame is that? I could imaging re-writing this with a poor little woman strapped on a shield, being used during war.
The Kauravas are a sneaky bunch – in an attempt to capture Yudhishthira, they distract Arjuna. And then, Arjuna’s son gets killed while trying to break a lotus formation. They really shouldn’t have done that – Arjuna is not a guy to mess around with!
I understand why Krishna suggested that they defeat Drona by telling him his son, Aswathama, has perished – but, that is pretty harsh. You know it is a harsh move when Arjuna refuses to do it (also, he understands the pain of having your son taken from you).
This battle is filled with deceit! Yudhishthira lies about Drona’s son’s death – Karna brings up honor, but then shoots Arjuna while they were talking. But final,y Duryodhana was defeated by Bhima.
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| A depiction of the battle between the Kauravas and Pandavas. (Source: Wikimedia) |
Victory and Sorrow
Dhritarashtra tried killing Bhima with a hug – A HUG! Watch out ladies and gentleman, killer hugs on the loose! What was that old man thinking? Who even does that? I mean, I get that he is upset that his sons have died…but that doesn’t mean you try to hug someone to death!
I am constantly disappointed in Yudhishthira. He is all torn up about killing all the Kauravas and has decided to throw a pity party. For himself. Not all the women who lost their husbands. Not all the soldiers he commanded who lost their friends. No. He was sad for himself, because now he has to be a king. This dude is a straight up loser. He doesn’t understand responsibility, he doesn’t even try to do what a king should do. He gambles away his kingdom. He forces his brothers and wife to go through years of exile. He takes thousands of soldiers into battle, where may die. And then he cries when he was to be king again. He really needs to sort out his problems.
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
Week 6 Reading Diary: Narayan's Mahabharata
This is the third part of my reading diary for the Mahabharata by Narayan.
* * *
Oh wow, I cannot believe that the Kauravas would set out to harm Virata! They are truly cruel people. It was odd to me how sure these men were of themselves – “there can be no doubt about [the Pandavas perishing in a fire].” Did they think it too difficult for the Pandavas to survive in exile?
I can imagine Bhima (aka Indian Hulk) uprooting a tree to conquer his enemies – and then Yudhishthira has to remind him that he is in disguise (key Bruce Banner breather techniques). And then picturing Arjuna having to pretend to be clumsy and fumble around – lol, they must be counting down to seconds for the ability to be themselves again!
Arjuna was so supportive when he was the chariot driver for Prince Uttara. I think that is such a great quality to have – be firm, but kind when trying to support someone! And even though the Prince turned out to be kind of a chicken, Arjuna showed grea spunk! Maybe a bit too much – he revealed himself to the Kauravas, which could have ruined the whole exile/be hidden thing.
Wow, the king is such a mean person sometimes. First, in the chapter before he threw dice at Yudhishthira (who does that?), and then upon seeing the five strangers dressed differently he gets all angry. He needs to take a chill pill. I was sad to see such a kind man act like such an awful person around those he found inferior to himself. It really shows how you should respect everyone around you – you never know when the person is a “diamond in the ruff”.
I am really interested in the Krishna part of this story (storybook!!). I am so glad he is on the Pandavas’ side, and I look forward to reading about his battles. Having to decide between a million soldiers or Krishna – hard choice – but I am glad Arjuna chose Krishna. It is the better choice!
“Everyone knows that lawfully the Pandavas must get everything back…” so everyone knows that the Kauravas are wrong, yet they are still going along with their plans? It just doesn’t make sense to me. Does anyone ever think to stand up and actually DO something about it, rather than blabber on with empty words?
I really like this quote by Krishna: “The entire universe and all nature functions and keeps life growing only by a proper balance of action and reaction. Otherwise, creation will collapse.” I think it shows the principle of Dharma exceedingly well.
Another great line was by Vidura: “Do not pursue a line of action which is clearly unjust; happiness lies only in doing the right action.” I think this represents that ‘gut-feeling’ that we get when we have to make decisions. Somehow, you just KNOW when something is right or wrong. And when you do something wrong, guilt really eats away at you.
Ah, as the battle nears, tensions rise. In the beginning of this chapter, it is mentioned that if a single baby of the opposing camp is left behind, it will harbor resentment and would go on to seek revenge. It is interesting how true that is – children carry on the wars of their parents. It is such a difficult cycle to break, but also a crucial one.
Draupadi had such a good point that one who commits sins ought to be punished, and one who does not punish the sinner has also sinned. It would be like someone letting a murderer get away with their crime. We have a moral obligation to do what it right – which includes punishing those who do wrong (hence judges, cops, etc.). I am glad that she stands up for herself here, and makes sure to remind everyone that there is a good REASON to have this war – those Kauravas humiliated her, and tried to defile her.
The back-and-forth mind of Dhritarashtra is so confusing. One second he is for his son, the next he is for the Pandavas – will he ever make up his mind? Although, I think he is seeing more and more how crazy his son is: “What undreamt-of evil comes to your mind!”
I like the pow-wow that Krishna and Karna have. Karna really needed to hear how his friendship with Duryodhana was not healthy - he was feeding into his friend’s bad behavior. At times like this, the best solution is to take a step back.
* * *
Servitude
Oh wow, I cannot believe that the Kauravas would set out to harm Virata! They are truly cruel people. It was odd to me how sure these men were of themselves – “there can be no doubt about [the Pandavas perishing in a fire].” Did they think it too difficult for the Pandavas to survive in exile?
I can imagine Bhima (aka Indian Hulk) uprooting a tree to conquer his enemies – and then Yudhishthira has to remind him that he is in disguise (key Bruce Banner breather techniques). And then picturing Arjuna having to pretend to be clumsy and fumble around – lol, they must be counting down to seconds for the ability to be themselves again!
Arjuna was so supportive when he was the chariot driver for Prince Uttara. I think that is such a great quality to have – be firm, but kind when trying to support someone! And even though the Prince turned out to be kind of a chicken, Arjuna showed grea spunk! Maybe a bit too much – he revealed himself to the Kauravas, which could have ruined the whole exile/be hidden thing.
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| A screenshot from a video on the title song of the Mahabharata. (Source: YouTube) |
Warning Shots
Wow, the king is such a mean person sometimes. First, in the chapter before he threw dice at Yudhishthira (who does that?), and then upon seeing the five strangers dressed differently he gets all angry. He needs to take a chill pill. I was sad to see such a kind man act like such an awful person around those he found inferior to himself. It really shows how you should respect everyone around you – you never know when the person is a “diamond in the ruff”.
I am really interested in the Krishna part of this story (storybook!!). I am so glad he is on the Pandavas’ side, and I look forward to reading about his battles. Having to decide between a million soldiers or Krishna – hard choice – but I am glad Arjuna chose Krishna. It is the better choice!
War or Peace?
“Everyone knows that lawfully the Pandavas must get everything back…” so everyone knows that the Kauravas are wrong, yet they are still going along with their plans? It just doesn’t make sense to me. Does anyone ever think to stand up and actually DO something about it, rather than blabber on with empty words?
I really like this quote by Krishna: “The entire universe and all nature functions and keeps life growing only by a proper balance of action and reaction. Otherwise, creation will collapse.” I think it shows the principle of Dharma exceedingly well.
Another great line was by Vidura: “Do not pursue a line of action which is clearly unjust; happiness lies only in doing the right action.” I think this represents that ‘gut-feeling’ that we get when we have to make decisions. Somehow, you just KNOW when something is right or wrong. And when you do something wrong, guilt really eats away at you.
Action
Ah, as the battle nears, tensions rise. In the beginning of this chapter, it is mentioned that if a single baby of the opposing camp is left behind, it will harbor resentment and would go on to seek revenge. It is interesting how true that is – children carry on the wars of their parents. It is such a difficult cycle to break, but also a crucial one.
Draupadi had such a good point that one who commits sins ought to be punished, and one who does not punish the sinner has also sinned. It would be like someone letting a murderer get away with their crime. We have a moral obligation to do what it right – which includes punishing those who do wrong (hence judges, cops, etc.). I am glad that she stands up for herself here, and makes sure to remind everyone that there is a good REASON to have this war – those Kauravas humiliated her, and tried to defile her.
The back-and-forth mind of Dhritarashtra is so confusing. One second he is for his son, the next he is for the Pandavas – will he ever make up his mind? Although, I think he is seeing more and more how crazy his son is: “What undreamt-of evil comes to your mind!”
I like the pow-wow that Krishna and Karna have. Karna really needed to hear how his friendship with Duryodhana was not healthy - he was feeding into his friend’s bad behavior. At times like this, the best solution is to take a step back.
Sunday, February 21, 2016
Week 5 Review
Wow, how time flies. Already five weeks down! I have so much writing I want to do for my storybook, and I really want to read more about Indian beliefs. I will have to start prioritizing my time a bit better!
As always, I made sure to back-up my blog and storybook site. Now that I am making more changes to the storybook site, I really don't want to lose it all!
When looking back over this week's announcements, I really enjoyed a segment of the post on Friday! It was the "Words of Wisdom" - Man is more fragile than a flower, and yet harder than a stone. This really hit base with me when I think of how tough we all appear on the outside, but out minds/feelings are so easily damaged. When reading the stories on Rama, I found that he beat his enemies not necessarily with might, but rather with wit.
As always, I made sure to back-up my blog and storybook site. Now that I am making more changes to the storybook site, I really don't want to lose it all!
When looking back over this week's announcements, I really enjoyed a segment of the post on Friday! It was the "Words of Wisdom" - Man is more fragile than a flower, and yet harder than a stone. This really hit base with me when I think of how tough we all appear on the outside, but out minds/feelings are so easily damaged. When reading the stories on Rama, I found that he beat his enemies not necessarily with might, but rather with wit.
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| A Kashmiri proverb. (Source) |
Week 5: Famous Last Words
Wow, already five weeks have went by! This semester is just zooming on - soon it will be graduation! Not much happened this week, but on the other hand, a lot happened this week - confusing, I know.
This week I began the Mahabharata by Narayan. So far, the Pandava brothers have been quarreling with the cousins (the Kauravas). The Pandavas share a wife, Draupadi, get exiled in a forest, and are beginning to set up for revenge.
It is quite the interesting read - very similar to the Ramayana. Some similar themes: women being treated like object. Some similar characters: Vishnu is reincarnated as Krishna.
I really enjoy many of the underlying messages that are included in the epic, and a gush of nice little philosophical tidbits in the Hundred Questions chapter,
Reading For This Week
This week I began the Mahabharata by Narayan. So far, the Pandava brothers have been quarreling with the cousins (the Kauravas). The Pandavas share a wife, Draupadi, get exiled in a forest, and are beginning to set up for revenge.
It is quite the interesting read - very similar to the Ramayana. Some similar themes: women being treated like object. Some similar characters: Vishnu is reincarnated as Krishna.
I really enjoy many of the underlying messages that are included in the epic, and a gush of nice little philosophical tidbits in the Hundred Questions chapter,
Other Classes
This week I had my first exam of the semester - Production II. It went very well - I used a growth mindset approach for this test, where I focused on learning the material. I think this approach worked really well, and even if I don't make an A on the test I am pleased with the amount I have learned!Outside of Class
This week I did some more seeing projects. An interesting one was making a cheetah print skirt for a frat guy...oh the encounters you have in college. I also decided to become a guest teacher (substitute) for Norman Public Schools this final semester. I love teaching, and I love kids - so why not combine them into something fun? Although, there is no chance I could be an actual teacher, I think this is a great opportunity to give back to my community!
Also, my salt water aquarium is up and ready for fish! I will be adding fish this week and will post pictures next week!
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| My aquarium! |
Thursday, February 18, 2016
Week 5 Storytelling: Hundred Questions and a Fish
Greetings stranger! My name is Maat Matsya. Maat is the sanskrit word for truth and law, and Matsya means fish. And thus, I am the fish of truth – I tell the stories and bring truth to the creatures under the sea. Today, I will tell the story of the Pandava brothers and the hundred questions.
My friend Bart the Bird had told me of five brothers chasing a mighty deer. They chased this deer all through the forest – this magical deer was too fast though, they would never catch him. As my pond is the only water for many leagues, I knew these brothers would soon come to quench their thirst. I waited patiently for them, for I do love to watch humans. They are so silly with their arms and legs.
I suppose I was not the only one privy to their location. The God of Justice, Yama, soon came to the edge of the pond. He muttered to himself that he wished to challenge these brothers to a trial of questions. He wished to test the brother’s strength of mind, especially the brother named Yudhishthira.
Just as the first brother was approaching, I saw the god transform himself into a yaksha. Yama was pretending to by the benevolent caretaker of the mystical pond. I curiously watched as Yama boomed, “Stop! This is my pond, and you may not touch it until you answer my questions.” Now this brother, named Nakula could not hear past his great thirst, and so he took a drink from the pond. Oh how I wished to shake him and tell him about the test, but I am only a fish after all.
Nakula fell to his death – or so Yama made it appear. Being the fish of truth, I could see past this illusion. The brother was simply in a deep sleep, which was a dirty trick indeed. But even I, the fish embodiment of truth, cannot resist a fun test!
Just a Nakula had fallen, the next brother ran up. His name was Sahadeva, and he too was warned by Yama. Like his brother, he ignored the warning and took a drink of the cold water. He too fell to his death (or deep sleep, to you and me).
The third brother, Arjuna, appeared next. Oh how silly he looked shooting his arrows this way and that! He couldn’t see Yama, so he just shot in all directions. However, with this anger came even more thirst. And so, Arjuna joined his brothers in death.
Oh my, just thinking back to the fourth brother brings back such terror. This man was huge! His muscles were giant! He was none other than Bhima. I don’t know if the “brains or brawns” thing is true, but this brother also drank from the pond, despite Yama’s multiple warnings not to do so. Do these brothers even have ears? I know they do, because they are sticking out in such a silly manner – almost as silly as the human nose.
Now, the only hope for the Pandava brothers to pass the test was the final brother, Yudhishthira. I had heard from the gossip goose about this brother’s gambling addiction, so I was not feeling too confident in him being able to pass a test on strength of mind.
The final brother approached the edge of the pond. Upon seeing his brothers, he paused. I could see his mind whirling, filled with many questions. How did his brothers die? Who did this? What is in this pond? The voice of Yama called out his warning, “do not drink the water until you answer my questions.”
Yudhishthira asked who the voice belonged to, and so Yama presented himself in his yaksha form. Once again, the brother was given the warning. Despite his great thirst, Yudhishthira agreed to answer the questions.
You might recall me saying this was a story about the Pandava brothers and a hundred questions. Well a hundred might be an understatement – there were SO MANY QUESTIONS! Yama really grilled Yudhishthira. The philosophy behind such questions was very complex. Even I, the fish of truth, could barely keep up. Yama really knew his stuff, but Yudhishthira proved to know it too! After many hours of questioning, in the heat of the sun, the brother was finally granted a drink from the pond.
Yama revealed himself as the God of Justice, and also revived the other brothers. This god, who was actually Yudhishthira’s father, was so proud of his son. As a reward, he granted the brothers with the power to remain incognito – which was apparently a good thing for they cheered so loud that they woke up my grandchildren.
* * *
Author's Note:
I was inspired for this story by the Hundred Questions chapter in the Mahabharata. I wanted to retell this story in a creative way, and while I was browsing the storytelling style page I came across the "beneath the sea" option. I thought I could put a twist on the style and perhaps write a story about a fish creature watching all of the events happen before him. He knows the yakshas true identity, and he can also see the foolhardy Pandavas ignore the warnings. I think this offers a unique perspective of fish narrating the lives of the silly humans above - like we are a TV show for them!
I chose the three pictures above to represent the fish watching the scene play out. I wanted to show what the pond might have looked like - maybe not the cleanest of water, but if you are thirsty you will drink just about anything! Also, I like the idea of the image not being totally clear. The fish sees things in a slightly skewed manner, so having an underwater image lets the reader see what the fish sees.
Bibliography:
"Hundred Questions" by R. K. Narayan, from The Mahabharata (1978). Book.
Source: Reading Guide.
My friend Bart the Bird had told me of five brothers chasing a mighty deer. They chased this deer all through the forest – this magical deer was too fast though, they would never catch him. As my pond is the only water for many leagues, I knew these brothers would soon come to quench their thirst. I waited patiently for them, for I do love to watch humans. They are so silly with their arms and legs.
I suppose I was not the only one privy to their location. The God of Justice, Yama, soon came to the edge of the pond. He muttered to himself that he wished to challenge these brothers to a trial of questions. He wished to test the brother’s strength of mind, especially the brother named Yudhishthira.
 |
| A goldfish, much like the narrator of this story. By Benson Kua. |
Just as the first brother was approaching, I saw the god transform himself into a yaksha. Yama was pretending to by the benevolent caretaker of the mystical pond. I curiously watched as Yama boomed, “Stop! This is my pond, and you may not touch it until you answer my questions.” Now this brother, named Nakula could not hear past his great thirst, and so he took a drink from the pond. Oh how I wished to shake him and tell him about the test, but I am only a fish after all.
Nakula fell to his death – or so Yama made it appear. Being the fish of truth, I could see past this illusion. The brother was simply in a deep sleep, which was a dirty trick indeed. But even I, the fish embodiment of truth, cannot resist a fun test!
Just a Nakula had fallen, the next brother ran up. His name was Sahadeva, and he too was warned by Yama. Like his brother, he ignored the warning and took a drink of the cold water. He too fell to his death (or deep sleep, to you and me).
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| A beautiful pond, by Easchiff. |
The third brother, Arjuna, appeared next. Oh how silly he looked shooting his arrows this way and that! He couldn’t see Yama, so he just shot in all directions. However, with this anger came even more thirst. And so, Arjuna joined his brothers in death.
Oh my, just thinking back to the fourth brother brings back such terror. This man was huge! His muscles were giant! He was none other than Bhima. I don’t know if the “brains or brawns” thing is true, but this brother also drank from the pond, despite Yama’s multiple warnings not to do so. Do these brothers even have ears? I know they do, because they are sticking out in such a silly manner – almost as silly as the human nose.
Now, the only hope for the Pandava brothers to pass the test was the final brother, Yudhishthira. I had heard from the gossip goose about this brother’s gambling addiction, so I was not feeling too confident in him being able to pass a test on strength of mind.
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| An underwater scene, by JulieLuke. |
The final brother approached the edge of the pond. Upon seeing his brothers, he paused. I could see his mind whirling, filled with many questions. How did his brothers die? Who did this? What is in this pond? The voice of Yama called out his warning, “do not drink the water until you answer my questions.”
Yudhishthira asked who the voice belonged to, and so Yama presented himself in his yaksha form. Once again, the brother was given the warning. Despite his great thirst, Yudhishthira agreed to answer the questions.
You might recall me saying this was a story about the Pandava brothers and a hundred questions. Well a hundred might be an understatement – there were SO MANY QUESTIONS! Yama really grilled Yudhishthira. The philosophy behind such questions was very complex. Even I, the fish of truth, could barely keep up. Yama really knew his stuff, but Yudhishthira proved to know it too! After many hours of questioning, in the heat of the sun, the brother was finally granted a drink from the pond.
Yama revealed himself as the God of Justice, and also revived the other brothers. This god, who was actually Yudhishthira’s father, was so proud of his son. As a reward, he granted the brothers with the power to remain incognito – which was apparently a good thing for they cheered so loud that they woke up my grandchildren.
* * *
Author's Note:
I was inspired for this story by the Hundred Questions chapter in the Mahabharata. I wanted to retell this story in a creative way, and while I was browsing the storytelling style page I came across the "beneath the sea" option. I thought I could put a twist on the style and perhaps write a story about a fish creature watching all of the events happen before him. He knows the yakshas true identity, and he can also see the foolhardy Pandavas ignore the warnings. I think this offers a unique perspective of fish narrating the lives of the silly humans above - like we are a TV show for them!
I chose the three pictures above to represent the fish watching the scene play out. I wanted to show what the pond might have looked like - maybe not the cleanest of water, but if you are thirsty you will drink just about anything! Also, I like the idea of the image not being totally clear. The fish sees things in a slightly skewed manner, so having an underwater image lets the reader see what the fish sees.
Bibliography:
"Hundred Questions" by R. K. Narayan, from The Mahabharata (1978). Book.
Source: Reading Guide.
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
Week 5 Reading Diary cont: Narayan's Mahabharata
This is the second part of my reading diary for the Mahabharata by Narayan.
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I find it sad how Dhritarashtra must show his love for his sons by hating his nephews. It is also disheartening to see him struggle so much with holding his own opinion. He is being pulled in all directions, and that is bound to have a bad ending.
I think it is great how the Pandavas create an amazing city out of a desert! I am also really interested in seeing how Krishna plays a role in this story – maybe I can use it as inspiration for my storybook!
Sakuni mentioned how the Pandavas were doing so well because of the grace og the gods and hard work, and I think many people can appreciate that statement. Not everything is handed to you – you have to work for it! Duryodhana seems to just want power handed to him on a silver platter, which just doesn’t happen.
I kind of like the idea of not beating someone with fighting, but with wit. Knowing Yudhishthira’s weakness, they are playing up to their strengths. While I don’t agree with their end game, I can appreciate their tactics!
Ah. Yudhishthira really disappointed me here. The “gambler’s frenzy” could have been prevented had he just said no in the first place. And then, to gamble off all his riches, his brothers, himself, and then his WIFE!
I was happy to see at least one man stand up for Draupadi – Vikarna showed great valor. He tried standing up for what was right…event though he was quickly dismissed. Also, I am happy that Krishna (Vishnu) came to Draupadi’s rescue!
To make matters worse….Yudhishthira gambled AGAIN. And yet again, he lost EVERYTHING. Now the Pandavas must wander in exile for twelve years. At any point, did any of the other Pandavas think to stand up to Yudhishthira?
At least Yudhishthira felt remorse. I am glad he at least understood that what he did was wrong…even though I’m not sure if he learned his lesson. I did not think it was appropriate for the Sun God to make Draupadi carry the magic vessel…why should she have to suffer more? Why don’t these Indian women stand up for themselves? These men are complete shit, and I wouldn’t stay with them for a minute. She is treated like property, she was humiliated in front of everyone – she should say GOOD RIDENS!
I find it interesting that these Kauravas are so bloodthirsty. Why are they so jealous of their cousins?
I find that being blunt about things is best when you are in a disagreement with someone. Let it all out, and then go on from there. Draupadi finally spoke her mind, and it was incredible. Her husbands let her down, especially Yudhishthira. He claims to be so virtuous, but he gambled. This lapse in judgement cost their family a lot, and I am glad they finally confronted Yudhishthira about it. He needed to understand how they all felt.
Oh geez, the Pandava brothers are at it again. They just cannot bear to listen can they? “Don’t drink the water,” says a creepy voice. “I’ll drink the water if I want to,” says the arrogant Pandava brother. At least Yudhishthira has learned his lesson and found some principles.
I enjoyed thinking of each of these guys dressing up in costumes to hide out in the kingdom. Bhima being a cook was by far the funniest picture!
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Uncle’s Gift
I find it sad how Dhritarashtra must show his love for his sons by hating his nephews. It is also disheartening to see him struggle so much with holding his own opinion. He is being pulled in all directions, and that is bound to have a bad ending.
I think it is great how the Pandavas create an amazing city out of a desert! I am also really interested in seeing how Krishna plays a role in this story – maybe I can use it as inspiration for my storybook!
City of Splendor
Sakuni mentioned how the Pandavas were doing so well because of the grace og the gods and hard work, and I think many people can appreciate that statement. Not everything is handed to you – you have to work for it! Duryodhana seems to just want power handed to him on a silver platter, which just doesn’t happen.
I kind of like the idea of not beating someone with fighting, but with wit. Knowing Yudhishthira’s weakness, they are playing up to their strengths. While I don’t agree with their end game, I can appreciate their tactics!
Stakes Unmatched
Ah. Yudhishthira really disappointed me here. The “gambler’s frenzy” could have been prevented had he just said no in the first place. And then, to gamble off all his riches, his brothers, himself, and then his WIFE!
I was happy to see at least one man stand up for Draupadi – Vikarna showed great valor. He tried standing up for what was right…event though he was quickly dismissed. Also, I am happy that Krishna (Vishnu) came to Draupadi’s rescue!
To make matters worse….Yudhishthira gambled AGAIN. And yet again, he lost EVERYTHING. Now the Pandavas must wander in exile for twelve years. At any point, did any of the other Pandavas think to stand up to Yudhishthira?
Wanderings
At least Yudhishthira felt remorse. I am glad he at least understood that what he did was wrong…even though I’m not sure if he learned his lesson. I did not think it was appropriate for the Sun God to make Draupadi carry the magic vessel…why should she have to suffer more? Why don’t these Indian women stand up for themselves? These men are complete shit, and I wouldn’t stay with them for a minute. She is treated like property, she was humiliated in front of everyone – she should say GOOD RIDENS!
I find it interesting that these Kauravas are so bloodthirsty. Why are they so jealous of their cousins?
I find that being blunt about things is best when you are in a disagreement with someone. Let it all out, and then go on from there. Draupadi finally spoke her mind, and it was incredible. Her husbands let her down, especially Yudhishthira. He claims to be so virtuous, but he gambled. This lapse in judgement cost their family a lot, and I am glad they finally confronted Yudhishthira about it. He needed to understand how they all felt.
Hundred Questions
Oh geez, the Pandava brothers are at it again. They just cannot bear to listen can they? “Don’t drink the water,” says a creepy voice. “I’ll drink the water if I want to,” says the arrogant Pandava brother. At least Yudhishthira has learned his lesson and found some principles.
I enjoyed thinking of each of these guys dressing up in costumes to hide out in the kingdom. Bhima being a cook was by far the funniest picture!
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
Thoughts about Comments
After reading over the comments I received on my posts, I had some favorites. One comment had some nice feedback: the reader liked the details in the story and the layout of the tale. I had actually been told in a previous comment to add more pictures or break paragraphs up a bit more, so I am happy to see that my changes were noticed!
Another thing I liked was getting feedback on minor errors (spelling, punctuation, etc.). Sometimes, no matter how many times you read over a story, you can’t catch your own mistakes. The readers who pointed it out did so in a kind way – not at all mean! I think constructive criticism is VERY helpful!
Another one of my favorite comments had something about explaining a little more why I chose to go in a certain direction with my story (“However I wonder what was the idea behind adding the part where Rama destroys the bow?” – S. Singh). This made me think about making sure that my thought process was clearly defined in the Author’s Note at the end of the story. To me the reasoning might be obvious (I wanted to show that he was super strong and worthy of being Sita’s husband), but to the reader it might not be.
Overall, my favorite comments each have a nice aspect to them, and then something with true depth. I love hearing how great my stories are (don’t we all?), but I want to improve as a writer. Having those little tidbits of guidance really help for the next story!
In my comments, I try and be very supportive. I like to tell the author what I loved about their story, and then let them know a different approach that could have been used. For example, sometimes I think the author could explore a storyline a bit more, so I tell them an interesting direction they could take it. I think these pointers help when you are brainstorming for your next storytelling ideas.
Another thing I liked was getting feedback on minor errors (spelling, punctuation, etc.). Sometimes, no matter how many times you read over a story, you can’t catch your own mistakes. The readers who pointed it out did so in a kind way – not at all mean! I think constructive criticism is VERY helpful!
Another one of my favorite comments had something about explaining a little more why I chose to go in a certain direction with my story (“However I wonder what was the idea behind adding the part where Rama destroys the bow?” – S. Singh). This made me think about making sure that my thought process was clearly defined in the Author’s Note at the end of the story. To me the reasoning might be obvious (I wanted to show that he was super strong and worthy of being Sita’s husband), but to the reader it might not be.
Overall, my favorite comments each have a nice aspect to them, and then something with true depth. I love hearing how great my stories are (don’t we all?), but I want to improve as a writer. Having those little tidbits of guidance really help for the next story!
In my comments, I try and be very supportive. I like to tell the author what I loved about their story, and then let them know a different approach that could have been used. For example, sometimes I think the author could explore a storyline a bit more, so I tell them an interesting direction they could take it. I think these pointers help when you are brainstorming for your next storytelling ideas.
Week 5 Reading Diary: Narayan's Mahabhata
This week I began reading the Mahabharata by Narayan. So far, the Pandavas have barely escaped the treachery of their cousins. While in hiding they get married to Draupadi - yes, all five brothers share a wife. It is actually a very easy read - quick and fun! You can never be sure where the plot line is headed, so I am enjoying the book so far! Here are my thoughts are the first four chapters:
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“One day while hunting…” – this is a common lead-in for this chapter. It is where Santanyu met his two wives, and where Pandu was cursed. I think going into depth on the hunting trips could be an interesting story. What happened on the way, where they hunting for sport or food?
I found the situation with Ganga to be extremely odd: wouldn’t Santanyu stop her at the first baby? I get her part (as much as anyone could possibly understand a celestial deity), but why would he not stop the death of his children? Is there a separation from fathers and their children? Maybe he was in shock?
I liked the part where is say The Mahabharata “may be said to begin with these three personalities.” These three brothers are so different in their attributes, and I am interested to see how those differences play out in the rest of the story.
The Pandavas versus their cousins…an interesting beginning to the story. Naturally, there will be a fight for the throne.
I see how silly, childish teasing can turn into serious, adult feelings. I wonder how things would have turned out if Bhima wasn’t so mean to Duryodhana. I couldn’t believe how eager Duryodhana was to have Karna beat Arjuna – he is really filled with anger and jealousy. And why is he so quick to crown him, when that could very well take away his own crown?
Again with the protagonist making promises without asking what they are promising – they agree to go capture this King Drupada without any explanation. It is absolutely ridiculous. Although, Drona’s story about how rude Drupada was does make me think it is a worthy task.
I really couldn’t believe how jealous Dhritarashtra had become, but the quote “Panic has made him crafty,” gave a look into his mind. He was being driven mad with fear of not being a leader! Panic will make being do really crazy things, and plotting to set the Pandavas on fire was definitely crazy.
Vidura is a man to be admired! He risked being caught by warning Yudhishthira, which could have been bad. I liked how they spoke in code – it makes me think of the codes between soldiers!
I like the older-brother quality of Bhima. He is the family protector! The message that being patient and waiting for good to come to you is important. I can really feel that in my life: the oil market is awful, but as long as I am patient things will turn around!
I really admire the family for wanting to protect one another from Baka, the rakshasa. I could see my own sister volunteering to do something awful so that I wouldn’t have to, and I would do the same for her. However, the notion of all going to their death so no one would have to grieve is ridiculous. I love how Bhima conquers Baka with so much ease!
As in the Ramayana, there is a competition to win a wife – Draupadi. I really like her spunk – she rejects Karna!! Duryodhana’s remark was especially vile though – she had no “right” to speak. Gee. She has no right to who she marries.
* * *
The Eighth Baby
“One day while hunting…” – this is a common lead-in for this chapter. It is where Santanyu met his two wives, and where Pandu was cursed. I think going into depth on the hunting trips could be an interesting story. What happened on the way, where they hunting for sport or food?
I found the situation with Ganga to be extremely odd: wouldn’t Santanyu stop her at the first baby? I get her part (as much as anyone could possibly understand a celestial deity), but why would he not stop the death of his children? Is there a separation from fathers and their children? Maybe he was in shock?
I liked the part where is say The Mahabharata “may be said to begin with these three personalities.” These three brothers are so different in their attributes, and I am interested to see how those differences play out in the rest of the story.
The Pandavas versus their cousins…an interesting beginning to the story. Naturally, there will be a fight for the throne.
Enter – The Players
I see how silly, childish teasing can turn into serious, adult feelings. I wonder how things would have turned out if Bhima wasn’t so mean to Duryodhana. I couldn’t believe how eager Duryodhana was to have Karna beat Arjuna – he is really filled with anger and jealousy. And why is he so quick to crown him, when that could very well take away his own crown?
Again with the protagonist making promises without asking what they are promising – they agree to go capture this King Drupada without any explanation. It is absolutely ridiculous. Although, Drona’s story about how rude Drupada was does make me think it is a worthy task.
House of Joy – And Ashes
I really couldn’t believe how jealous Dhritarashtra had become, but the quote “Panic has made him crafty,” gave a look into his mind. He was being driven mad with fear of not being a leader! Panic will make being do really crazy things, and plotting to set the Pandavas on fire was definitely crazy.
Vidura is a man to be admired! He risked being caught by warning Yudhishthira, which could have been bad. I liked how they spoke in code – it makes me think of the codes between soldiers!
Bride for Five
I like the older-brother quality of Bhima. He is the family protector! The message that being patient and waiting for good to come to you is important. I can really feel that in my life: the oil market is awful, but as long as I am patient things will turn around!
I really admire the family for wanting to protect one another from Baka, the rakshasa. I could see my own sister volunteering to do something awful so that I wouldn’t have to, and I would do the same for her. However, the notion of all going to their death so no one would have to grieve is ridiculous. I love how Bhima conquers Baka with so much ease!
As in the Ramayana, there is a competition to win a wife – Draupadi. I really like her spunk – she rejects Karna!! Duryodhana’s remark was especially vile though – she had no “right” to speak. Gee. She has no right to who she marries.
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| Here is a depiction of the Pandavas brothers and Draupadi. (Source: Raja Ravi Varma) |
Sunday, February 14, 2016
Week 4 Review
Aaahhh, one month down. It is a nice feeling having completed a whole month!! I have completed the weekly back-up for each of my sites, and made sure all of my declarations are up-to-date. When reviewing the daily announcements, there was a post on Friday, February 12 that caught my eye: The Earliest Ancient Texts. It was interesting to me, because the desire for humans to interact/communicate/write down their thoughts has been present for a very, very long time! Also, I like to think of the hieroglyphics as Egyptian texting!
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| Cartoon by Dan Reynolds. |
Week 4: Famous Last Words
And so the fourth week of the semester comes to an end. This was a really fun week - with it ending on Valentine's Day! I was very productive this week, in this course and my other courses!
I also read a comic book called "Dasha Avatar". which outlines the ten main incarnations of Vishnu. I chose this comic because my storybook will be based on Vishnu and some of his tales, and I thought it would be good research for some inspiration, I really enjoyed the tales on Krishna and Buddha!
Reading For This Week
This week I watched a video called "Sita Sings the Blues", which outlined the life of Sita (Rama's wife from the Ramayana). It was a very good take on her side of the story, and portrayed the hardships she had to endure.I also read a comic book called "Dasha Avatar". which outlines the ten main incarnations of Vishnu. I chose this comic because my storybook will be based on Vishnu and some of his tales, and I thought it would be good research for some inspiration, I really enjoyed the tales on Krishna and Buddha!
Other Classes
This past week, classes have been a lead up to next week which is when some major projects/exams will take place. We are starting to learn some interesting stuff in Production II (still not a favorite class of mine...). IOR is going in a simulator direction, which is exciting because simulations are super cool! Capstone has been increasingly fun, and I am learning more about the whole land acquisition process. This upcoming week I have a Production exam, which will be fairly difficult. I am using some growth mindset tactics, however, and am focusing on LEARNING the material rather than get an A!Outside of Class
With this being Valentine's Day, I celebrated a little bit all weekend long. With chocolate, flowers, and yummy food, this is one of my favorite holidays! Besides all the lovey-dovey festivities, I had the chance to craft with my sister and start up my personal blog again! I will link it later, but it is still a work on progress for now! |
| A flower from the bouquet that I received for V-day! |
Week 4 Reading Diary: Dasha Avatar
Here is my reading diary for the comic book "Dasha Avatar". I wanted to read this comic book in particular to get some inspiration for my storybook, which is about Vishnu.
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I really enjoyed how Vishnu grows from a “wee fish” to this giant, horned fish. Satyavrata’s devotion to Vishnu really paid off!
I really loved how Vishnu was so helpful to the Asuras, but my favorite part was when he transformed into Mohini to distract the Asuras. I think this is a good representation of the lotus – a symbol of purity. It shows how attachment and desire are not things to be sought after.
This story shows that a battle is not won with might alone, it is won with with your mind too. Hiranyaksha was too eager to fight, and didn’t think to consider that Vishnu may be stronger. Vishnu was patient and thought things out (hitting his foe at just the right time).
Again, Vishnu uses wit, not strength alone, to conquer his enemy. I love how he triumphs over evil. I think this is a great representation of dharma. Justice always prevails, no matter the trickery that one tries to do.
I liked the whole idea of hidden strength. Although Vamana appeared to be a small man, he was actually a giant! I think this could fit in well with my storybook somewhere!
This story was interesting because it encompasses so much. There was the first encounter with Kamsa, and then Krishna defeats the Kauravas (this relates to the Mahabharata), and finally he destroys the Yadavas. The part that caught my attention the most was how the mace was ground into powder and thrown into the ocean. It's journey from mace to powder (and chunk of metal) to the final destruction of the Yadavas was quite interesting.
What I liked most about this story was how, despite how hard the father tried, Siddhartha was actually turned to the safe life because of his luxuries. His desire to know the truth - to find peace - overcame the worldly desires and attachments. I think this would make for a great lotus story for my storybook!
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Bibliography:
"Dasha Avatar: The Ten Incarnations of Lord Vishnu" by Anant Pai (2010). ACK, Volume 10002.
Source: ACK Comics
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Matsya Avatar - Fish
Vishnu transforms into a fish to retrieve the vedas and protect his devotee, Satyavrata.I really enjoyed how Vishnu grows from a “wee fish” to this giant, horned fish. Satyavrata’s devotion to Vishnu really paid off!
Kurma Avatar - Turtle
Indra and the Devas the world need to obtain the nectar of immortality to lift the curse. The Devas and Asuras made peace to work together on the churning of the ocean. Vishnu transformed into a turtle, so that he could hold Mount Mandara on his back. Then, once the nectar was retrieved, Vishnu transformed into Mohini to charm the Asuras, and take back the nectar.I really loved how Vishnu was so helpful to the Asuras, but my favorite part was when he transformed into Mohini to distract the Asuras. I think this is a good representation of the lotus – a symbol of purity. It shows how attachment and desire are not things to be sought after.
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| A depiction of Kurma; Vishnu's turtle avatar. (Source: Wikimedia) |
Varatha Avatar - Boar
Brahma calls on Vishnu to bring up the earth, and so Vishnu transforms into a boar. Hiranyaksha wishes to fight with Vishnu, and so they have a battle with maces.This story shows that a battle is not won with might alone, it is won with with your mind too. Hiranyaksha was too eager to fight, and didn’t think to consider that Vishnu may be stronger. Vishnu was patient and thought things out (hitting his foe at just the right time).
Narasimha Avatar – Man-Lion
Hiranyakashipu wishes to conquer the three worlds, and defeat Vishnu. He was granted a boon that no man or beast, by day or night, indoors or outdoors, on earth or in the sky could defeat him.Again, Vishnu uses wit, not strength alone, to conquer his enemy. I love how he triumphs over evil. I think this is a great representation of dharma. Justice always prevails, no matter the trickery that one tries to do.
Vamana Avatar – Brahman
Bali performed a sacrificial fire to get the power to conquer the Devas. Aditi worships to Vishnu to ask for his help. Vishnu transforms into one of her sons, Vamana.I liked the whole idea of hidden strength. Although Vamana appeared to be a small man, he was actually a giant! I think this could fit in well with my storybook somewhere!
Krishna Avatar
Vishnu takes the form of the seventh and eighth sons of Vasudeva to free Bhoomi Devi of her burden. As Krishna, Vishnu destroys Kamsa and many other evil men. He also sees to it that the Yadu race is destroyed.This story was interesting because it encompasses so much. There was the first encounter with Kamsa, and then Krishna defeats the Kauravas (this relates to the Mahabharata), and finally he destroys the Yadavas. The part that caught my attention the most was how the mace was ground into powder and thrown into the ocean. It's journey from mace to powder (and chunk of metal) to the final destruction of the Yadavas was quite interesting.
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| A depiction of Krishna, one of Vishnu's avatars. (Source: Wikimedia) |
Buddha Avatar
Siddhartha is born to Mayadevi after she dreamt of a white elephant with six tusks. It was told that the young baby would either become a great king or a great sage. His father desperately wanted him to be a king.What I liked most about this story was how, despite how hard the father tried, Siddhartha was actually turned to the safe life because of his luxuries. His desire to know the truth - to find peace - overcame the worldly desires and attachments. I think this would make for a great lotus story for my storybook!
Kalki Avatar
It is said that when the end of time comes for earth, Vishnu will come in his sattvic form. He will reinforce the good.* * *
Bibliography:
"Dasha Avatar: The Ten Incarnations of Lord Vishnu" by Anant Pai (2010). ACK, Volume 10002.
Source: ACK Comics
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
Learning Challenge: Reading Out Loud
For my fifth learning challenge, I am tackling reading. I absolutely LOVE reading, especially long novels (thousands of pages, each filled with the thoughts of another - so amazing). I wanted to change things up a bit, so I challenged myself to do part of my reading of the Mahabharata out loud! I wanted to see how it changes the reading experience - do I get into the story more, or does my voice change when a different character speaks?
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| I love reading and art, and this photo capture both of those things for me! (Source: Kate Ter Haar) |
Reading Out Loud:
When reading out loud I did notice that I got into the story more. It seemed a little more personal, and it was easier to keep track of all of the names (there are some really tricky pronunciations). It did seem to take a bit longer to read aloud than normal reading. Also, it is something you would want to do if you were alone (and I like to read just about anywhere). I think this is a great option for reading at home, and reading something that needs to be given more time to understand complex names/words.Growth Mindset: The Heart of Failure
"As a species, we are not very good at coping with failure." It was this quote that caught my attention from the article "Behavior Research Illuminates the Very Human Heart of When, Why, and How we Fail" by Cassie Werber. And it is true, for myself at least. I absolutely hate it when I fail at something - especially when I try really, really hard.
When considering how to handle failure, first conceptualize it. What is the problem? Now, if this were a friend's problem, how would you tell them to go about solving it? Separating the problem from yourself can make it easier to handle.
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| Crossroads: Success or Failure. (Source: Chris Potter) |
We really shouldn't be afraid of failure, though, because it oftentimes leads to successful solutions. You need to look at your problem as an experiment: there may be some mistakes, learn from them.
Know when your failures are telling you something deeper: you are no longer benefitting from the attempt. Maybe your approach is wrong, and if it is you need to stop an reevaluate things. It can be hard, but don't dig a deeper hole than you need to!
Another way to look at failure is to decide what you really want. If you are seeking something with the wrong motivation, you are bound to fail (diet to become skinny vs. diet to become healthy). Imagining something worthwhile will give you the extra boost you need to accomplish your goals - failure free!
Monday, February 8, 2016
Storytelling for Week 4: Ravana's Perspective
Hello everyone, its Ravana speaking. I would just like to set the story straight about the so-called kidnapping of Sita.
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| Ravana, the Demon-King of Lanka. (Source: Wikimedia) |
As you all know, my sister came to me and told me I should take Sita for myself. What you don’t know, is that she has whispered in one of my twenty ears that Rama was a rotten husband to Sita. He didn’t give her the love she deserved, and he sure didn’t respect her. In fact, he claimed her to be his “trophy wife”, since he had won her from a challenge.
Before this, I gained my mighty strength by worshipping the gods. I was devout, and I was willing to pray for days. Although I had this strength, I wanted to use it for good. So when my sister told me how poorly Sita was being treated, I knew she needed my help.
So, I sent out the fake golden deer to distract Rama while I went to retrieve Sita. The story usually says that I snuck into the house, but what really happened was I just went straight up to the door and knocked. Sita, being the timid woman she is cracked the door and inquired why I was there. I told her that I knew about her situation with Rama, and that I wanted to help her.
She said the only way she knew that I could save her would be to fake a kidnapping. And so, I snatched her up and took her to my chariot, while she yelled out her phony cries for help. Once we were a good distance away, she remembered that her jewelry had special tracking capabilities, so she hurried and threw it onto the ground.
Finally, we made it to Lanka. I set her up with her own home, making sure it had a beautiful shade tree for her to meditate under. She never knew what it was like to have her own things, for Rama had never allowed it.
She really seemed to enjoy herself – she even began to sing a melodious tune. I saw to it that she was outfitted in only the finest of silks, and that no one bothered her during her meditation time. All was perfect, until that horrible day when my scouts told me that Rama was hunting for Sita.
I debated with myself for days on whether I should tell Sita that her mean husband was coming to take her back. Ultimately, I knew that if I truly respected her, I would tell her all the information I knew. She took it well, considering all the distress he had caused her. I told her I would do all that I could to make for sure she was safe.
I readied my armies, and sent out additional scouts to monitor Rama’s advance. In the back of my mind, I knew I could never kill him though – Sita truly loved her husband, even if he was rude. So I tried to persuade him to just leave her with me. He wouldn’t even listen to my pleas. And so, he came to Lanka and took Sita back.
While I now live among the gods, Rama continues to smear my name with his false truths. I am happy to have been able to tell you my side, and I hope you consider it when you read stories like the Ramayana.
Before this, I gained my mighty strength by worshipping the gods. I was devout, and I was willing to pray for days. Although I had this strength, I wanted to use it for good. So when my sister told me how poorly Sita was being treated, I knew she needed my help.
So, I sent out the fake golden deer to distract Rama while I went to retrieve Sita. The story usually says that I snuck into the house, but what really happened was I just went straight up to the door and knocked. Sita, being the timid woman she is cracked the door and inquired why I was there. I told her that I knew about her situation with Rama, and that I wanted to help her.
She said the only way she knew that I could save her would be to fake a kidnapping. And so, I snatched her up and took her to my chariot, while she yelled out her phony cries for help. Once we were a good distance away, she remembered that her jewelry had special tracking capabilities, so she hurried and threw it onto the ground.
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| Ravana talking to Sita by her tree. (Source: Wikimedia) |
Finally, we made it to Lanka. I set her up with her own home, making sure it had a beautiful shade tree for her to meditate under. She never knew what it was like to have her own things, for Rama had never allowed it.
She really seemed to enjoy herself – she even began to sing a melodious tune. I saw to it that she was outfitted in only the finest of silks, and that no one bothered her during her meditation time. All was perfect, until that horrible day when my scouts told me that Rama was hunting for Sita.
I debated with myself for days on whether I should tell Sita that her mean husband was coming to take her back. Ultimately, I knew that if I truly respected her, I would tell her all the information I knew. She took it well, considering all the distress he had caused her. I told her I would do all that I could to make for sure she was safe.
I readied my armies, and sent out additional scouts to monitor Rama’s advance. In the back of my mind, I knew I could never kill him though – Sita truly loved her husband, even if he was rude. So I tried to persuade him to just leave her with me. He wouldn’t even listen to my pleas. And so, he came to Lanka and took Sita back.
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| Rama and Ravana battling. (Source: Wikimedia) |
While I now live among the gods, Rama continues to smear my name with his false truths. I am happy to have been able to tell you my side, and I hope you consider it when you read stories like the Ramayana.
* * *
Author's Note:
I was inspired to write this story after watching the film "Sita Sings the Blues". In it, the narrators talk about how Ravana was kind of a "good villain". Additionally, Rama treats Sita very poorly in the film, by making her prove her purity not only once - BUT TWICE. And so, I thought writing a story where Sita wanted to run away from Rama with Ravana's help would be an interesting twist.
Bibliography:
"Sita Sings the Blues" by Nina Paley (2008). Web.
Source: YouTube.
Week 4: Reading Diary cont: Sita Sings the Blues
This is my reading diary for the second half of Sita Sings the Blues by Nina Paley.
This second half was completely new to me - it was not in Narayan's Ramayana. In the final half, we find that Sita has become pregnant. Rama, still doubts his wife, so he has her be abandoned in a forest (while pregnant). In the end, he asks for her to prove her purity again - which she does by asking Mother Earth to take her back into the womb (kill herself).
I thought it was very sad how Dave broke up with Nina. I just wanted to let her know that it was okay, and that the stupid oaf didn't deserve her. I was so happy in the end when she got a new cat and started her project. I think you get in a rut sometimes (especially when your "plan" doesn't work out), but we need to learn to keep going. You cannot get stuck on the minor details: love yourself and the rest will come.
This second half was completely new to me - it was not in Narayan's Ramayana. In the final half, we find that Sita has become pregnant. Rama, still doubts his wife, so he has her be abandoned in a forest (while pregnant). In the end, he asks for her to prove her purity again - which she does by asking Mother Earth to take her back into the womb (kill herself).
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| Sita singing the blues after being abandoned in a forest. (Fred Miller) |
Sita/Rama
The more I read about Rama, the more I dislike him. He was a grade A jerk in this story. He abandons his pregnant wife, even after she did a fire test. However, it starts from Sita's father making her believe she was an object to be won, an object owned by men. In her mind, Rama owns her. And she is crushed when her owner casts her out. One of the lines in the boy's song was "always right, never wrong" when describing Rama, which saddens me to think that they grew up thinking that Sita deserved to be treated in such a horrible manner. That is a prime example of how abuse/disrespect is passed on from parent to child.
Nina/Dave
I thought it was very sad how Dave broke up with Nina. I just wanted to let her know that it was okay, and that the stupid oaf didn't deserve her. I was so happy in the end when she got a new cat and started her project. I think you get in a rut sometimes (especially when your "plan" doesn't work out), but we need to learn to keep going. You cannot get stuck on the minor details: love yourself and the rest will come.
Narrators
I thought that the most intriguing part of the narrators storyline was when the debated Sita's devotion to Rama (1:07). One of them was claiming that her devotion was because of her unconditional love for Rama. Another narrator, though, thought that perhaps she had some personal problems that she needed to solve. I side with the second opinion, as she clearly was OBSESSED with Rama - which is very unhealthy.
Week 4 Reading Diary: Sita Sings the Blues
This is my reading diary for the first half of Sita Sings the Blues by Nina Paley.
This first half of the film has been a summarization/animation of the Ramayana. There are three distinct storylines going on: the Sita/Rama storyline, the Nina/Dave storyline, and the storyline of three narrators who discuss parts of the Sita/Rama story.
I decided to organize my thoughts based off of these three storylines, rather than linearly.
This first half of the film has been a summarization/animation of the Ramayana. There are three distinct storylines going on: the Sita/Rama storyline, the Nina/Dave storyline, and the storyline of three narrators who discuss parts of the Sita/Rama story.
I decided to organize my thoughts based off of these three storylines, rather than linearly.
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| A screenshot from the film "Sita Sings the Blues" by Nina Paley. (Wikimedia) |
Sita/Rama
This storyline is really fun to watch since I have read these stories. I love how Sita's feelings are shown through her songs, and I think they really capture her inner spunk! One particular line that I caught at 0:19 was "I'll be so true to him, he'll never doubt me", and this struck me as pure irony considering the fire trial. Also, I like how the captured how mean Rama was when he turned Sita away after finally defeating Ravana. There was this one line at 0:43 where Sita sings "I live only for you", and this made me think of the abusive/obsessive relationships. It is becoming more popular on facebook to see those videos on how love is not abuse, and it saddens me that this line is in the story. Love is not obsessing over your significant other. Love is not making your significant other throw themselves in a fire to prove their purity to you. Rama and Sita have love all wrong.Nina/Dave
I didn't quite understand why this storyline was included at first, but I am starting to see the parallels between Nina/Dava and Sita/Rama. I especially like how you can see how small instances between the two are connected (Dave brushes Nina off, like how Rama did to Sita after she was kidnapped).Narrators
I really like how the three narrators argue amongst themselves on the details of each story. It not only allows for a humorous/interesting approach to learning the story, but it also gives some time for you to actually understand what is going on. For example, there were some names that I was just not getting, and hearing them say it helped me get it. They also through in different little trivia tidbits - like how Hanuman was actually Shiva's incarnation. Something that I hadn't thought of before this, was how Ravana honestly wasn't that bad of a villain. The narrators pointed out that he didn't force himself on Sita, and how he was an overall good guy besides kidnapping Sita. I think this has potential for a story.
Learning Challenge: Paying Attention
This week was my "attention" learning challenge week. I wanted to find something that would allow me to focus a little bit better. I came across the article "9 Things You'll Notice After Meditating For Just 1 Minute." This appealed to me for a couple of reasons: I love lists, and I can hop on board with anything that only takes a minute.
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| A man doing meditation in Rose Valley. (Source: Moyan Brenn) |
Minute Meditation
Proposed Benefits:
The author posed that they noticed nine things after meditating for one minute.
1. Able to stay in the moment.
2. Send of smell was stronger.
3. Less worried about to-do list.
4. More aware of what they were eating.
5. Had time to reflect.
6. Noticed their breath.
7. Didn't think about their phone.
8. Sat up straighter.
9. Felt content.
Benefits I Noticed:
So, some of these things seemed likely to happen. But some...not so much. I was on a mission to try this one minute meditation, and I noticed some of my own benefits.
1. I did feel like I was better at being able to stay in the moment. I think with the hustle and bustle of the day, it is easy to constantly be thinking of what's next. Taking time to just be in the now was really nice, and I noticed that throughout the day I was also able to focus on the present more.
2. This kind of goes with the first part, but I was able to stop worrying about my to-do list. In class, I look at my to-do list at least ten times. After meditating, however, I was able to just chill out and focus on the class.
3. I definitely enjoyed reflecting during my meditation time. I used it as a time to think about what I needed to do today and what I had accomplished so far.
To Be Continued?
Well, as you can see, meditation isn't some super-power. It doesn't offer the same benefits to every person. However, I think it does offer up some time that you specifically put aside to relax, reflect, and refine. I think meditating for a minute or two most certainly offers up the benefit of added focus.
Growth Mindset: Successful Phrases
This week, I came across an interesting article on Yahoo, where a Stanford professor says that eliminating these two phrases from your vocabulary can actually make you more successful.
This professor, Bernard Roth, makes a link to language and success. Why? Because language - the way you speak - affects how others perceive you and your behavior. If you talk like a successful person, you will approach life with a more successful point of view.
* * *
For the rest of this week, I am going to try switching up my phrases and see how it affects me. Maybe I will feel more confident, or maybe this is just some hoop-la. I will let you know in my Famous Last Words post!
This professor, Bernard Roth, makes a link to language and success. Why? Because language - the way you speak - affects how others perceive you and your behavior. If you talk like a successful person, you will approach life with a more successful point of view.
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| Choose your phrasing for success! Be positive! (Source: geralt) |
Successful Phrases?
Swap "but" for "and"
The idea is that using the phrase "but" puts you into a conflict mindset. Roth says that by using and, "your brain gets to consider how it can deal with both parts of the sentence." You might say things like, "I want to hang out with my friends, but I have homework." Instead, you should phrase it as "I want to hang out, AND I have homework." This swap allows you to have the best of both worlds, you just have to multitask/prioritize a bit.Swap "have to" for "want to"
This phrase swap allows you to realize that the things you do every day are a choice that you have made. You were not forced to attend class, you chose to. You were not forced to do your homework, you chose to. The key point here, is to put a more positive focus on your choices.* * *
For the rest of this week, I am going to try switching up my phrases and see how it affects me. Maybe I will feel more confident, or maybe this is just some hoop-la. I will let you know in my Famous Last Words post!
Saturday, February 6, 2016
Week 3 Review
Third week down! As usual, I like to back-up any sites in which I have made changes to (Blogger, Google Site, Pinterest). I also like to make for sure that I didn't miss any declarations for my weekly assignments. This is also a good time to look back on the weekly announcements and make sure I didn't miss anything. A lot of interesting information can be found on those announcements! My favorite was the bit on "The Writer's Mask" from Wednesday!
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| A quote from Oscar Wilde. Masks at Pixabay. |
Friday, February 5, 2016
Week 3: Famous Last Words
I cannot believe the third week of my last semester is already coming to an end! It really feels so surreal. On one hand, I am so excited to be graduation, but on the other hand, I will dearly miss my friends. On the bright side, I will have these last word posts to look back on and remember my semster!
Reading for this week:
For this week, I did a lot of reading for the growth mindset and HEART challenges. I had already finished my assigned reading, so I took advantage of the time and learned some interesting things on how to improve myself! (You can check out my favorite two challenges on my Growth Mindset and Learning Challenge posts!)
Best writing for this week:
For this week, I wrote a story on the battle between Rama and Ravana. I was inspired by how Rama told his chariot driver to go slow, because Ravana's antics will soon exhaust him. It made me think of the Tortoise and Hare tale, where the turtle took him time during the race and WON! I think the mash-up turned out pretty great.
Other classes:
In my Improved Recovery course we are still covering waterfloods. We are learning how to determine the water saturation and velocity of a water front (it is interesting, I promise). Capstone continues to be my favorite - we get to do decline curve analysis on about 50 wells, determine the EUR, and then put a bid price on the field! Production has been pretty boring, and it has been quite the challenge to pay attention in that class. What I plan on doing is printing any old info I have (past tests, homeworks, etc.), bringing that to class, and answering the questions as they come up in class. I think this plan will "force" me to pay attention, and will also help me prepare for the upcoming exam.
Outside of school:
This week I had the chance to alter a dress (well, hem it). It was a gorgeous floor length formal gown, and it was a tad too long for the young lady who needed to wear it THAT NIGHT! So, I had quite the time crunch, but managed to get it just perfect for her. It sparked an idea that I could do alterations this semester as a "job", instead of getting an actual job. I usually charge about $20 (which is much cheaper than other tailors), and the many of the girls I have talked to thought it was a great idea! It will also allow me to be creative and continue my passion for sewing!
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| I was pretty stoked about my pin-cushion wristband! |
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| Here is my sewing in action |
Learning Challenge: Being Empathetic
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| What is empathy, and how can I be more empathetic? (Source: Ron Mader) |
As I “grow up”, I want to grow into a better individual. Not just academically/financially. I love these HEART challenges, because they allow me to grow into a better person. A more happy, loving person. I wanted to go through each of the categories at least once, and this week I challenged myself to study empathy.
What is empathy?
First off, in order to be an empathetic person, you need to know what empathy actually is – and is not. Empathy is the ability to understand and share feelings of another. It is not sympathy – feeling pity and sorrow for someone. You can watch this video by Lisa Martin, for a little more understanding on empathy:
What am I doing that is not empathetic?
When we say things like:
“I know exactly how you feel”
“Everything happens for a reason”
“Cheer up! Think positive”
“It’s totally for the best, you just don’t know it now”
“Time heals”
“God has a plan”
Why is this not empathetic?
First, ask yourself when you say these things – you say them when your friend/loved one is going through a hard time (such as, life transitions, losses, illness, uncertainty). And now, ask yourself what those above statements do to support the person in need – the answer is that they don’t. These statements act as “cover-ups”, they have the tendency to try and push the problem aside. The problem is, some things cannot be pushed aside, some things cannot be fixed with kind words, some thing just need to be dealt with, some things just need to be “carried”.
What can I do that is empathetic?
Actions speak louder than words – care packages, small gifts, donations. All of these things provide your friend something comforting and easy.
Words are good too – say a simple “I am sorry”, “I am here with you”, “I am here to help you in an way I can”. This allows your friend to talk if they want to talk, to do something with you if they want, or just sit there are mope. These statements allow your friend to know they are supported, but not have any obligations to cover up their pain.
Give them love – both of the above options are signs of love, but it is also good to emphasize that you love your friend. You are there for them. Give them a hug. Cuddle (if they are cool with that). You know your friend, and you know how they feel loved.
Growth Mindset: Marginal Gains
This week for the growth mindset challenge, I wanted to study something that could impact the rest of my semester and future career. What you will find below is how small changes can make a big impact – and so, my goal for myself is to make these small changes to become an improved Morgan. For example, taking a few minutes a day to go over what I did each day. This will allow me to write down anything I missed, and also reflect on how much I accomplished (I really like doing this for the Famous Last Words posts, but I want to do it on a daily basis).
The quote that most stood out to me in this article was that “it’s so easy to overestimate the importance of one defining moment and underestimate the value of making better decisions on a daily basis.”
I think as a whole, we are only happy with ourselves if we see big changes – such a losing 20 pounds in one week. However, these big changes rarely last. How many times does a person starve themselves for one week, lose a bunch of weight, and then go back to eating and their original weight?
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An important note, is that it also works in reverse. This means that all of your tiny bad habits ADD UP. Should you go with water or soda? Well, today it won’t make much of a difference. But the continued choice of water over soda (or vice versa) will have a BIG impact.
I think back to the saying that “we are what we repeatedly do.” To make something a habit, it is estimated that we need to repeat it for 3-4 weeks. So, we have to really push ourselves for a month to make those tiny good choices, but eventually it will become NATURAL!
Just this last semester, I decided that I wanted to make the process of making my bed a habit and not a chore. So every morning I would automatically make my bed (as opposed to doing it later in the day). Now, I don’t think twice about arranging my nine (yes, nine) pillows in their perfect arrangement. In fact, if I don’t get to make my bed, I feel a bit off for that day.
I think back to the story I wrote on Rama and Ravana’s battle, and it relates to this. Going through the process, giving it the time and attention it needs, and now expecting immediate results – this is what allowed Rama to win the battle.
Wednesday, February 3, 2016
Storytelling for Week 3: Slow and Steady
"Ravana is in a rage; let him perform all the antics he desires and exhaust himself. until then be clam; we don't have to hurry forward." - Rama and Ravana in Battle, "Ramayana" (pg 140)
* * *
Rama replied to this challenge “I am confident that I can beat you, but I urge you to change your mind.” Ravana sent a shower of arrows onto Rama, to show his disdain for any such quitting.
Calmly, Rama spoke to his chariot driver, “do not let him get to you. We will go slow and have patience, while his rage exhausts him.” For Rama knew that anger and rage can only last so long in battle, eventually all will tire from such antics.
Ravana was amused by his opponent’s seemingly lackluster fighting, and so he decided to go head on with Rama’s chariot. He string his bow and sent a shower of arrows at Rama. Even though it was tough work, Ravana sent thousands and thousands of arrows down on Rama.
Keeping his cool, Rama simply dodged Ravana’s arrows and shot them down with his own bow. He noticed how weary Ravana was becoming with all of these attacks, and Rama could feel the time to attack was nearing. Rama answered his opponent’s war cries by asking “is this all you can do? When will the real fighting begin?”
Angered, Ravana decided to bring out his most powerful weapon: asthras. The “Danda” was capable of pursuing and pulverizing its target. The “Maya” created illusions and confused the enemy. These weapons were a challenge, but nothing that Rama couldn’t handle. He counter-attacked with his own “Gnana”, which gives wisdom and perception to its user.
Ravana continued to send out his powerful weapons, but over time his energy was exhausted – just as Rama had predicted. In a final effort to win the battle, Ravana began flinging rocks and iron at Rama. This only caused him to tire more quickly.
Rama pondered for a moment on what his enemy’s biggest weakness was, and decided it was lack of heart. He was so quick to rely on his strength that Ravana had forgotten to protect his heart. Rama sent his final asthra, the powerful “Brahmasthra”, right to the weak and exhausted heart of Ravana.
While all around him cheered on, Rama simply stated “slow and steady wins the battle, never rush that which should be approached with clear headedness and patience.”
* * *
* * *
Slow and Steady Wins the Battle
Ravana called out to the monkey army, “no one can beat me, for I have the mighty strength given to me from the gods.” Any who had ever defied Ravana had been quickly conquered, and he had become arrogant with each win. Of course the gods regretted gifting him these powers, but they too were weak agaisnt his powers. He continued, “go ahead and try to take me down, it will only prove further that I am invincible.”
Rama replied to this challenge “I am confident that I can beat you, but I urge you to change your mind.” Ravana sent a shower of arrows onto Rama, to show his disdain for any such quitting.
Calmly, Rama spoke to his chariot driver, “do not let him get to you. We will go slow and have patience, while his rage exhausts him.” For Rama knew that anger and rage can only last so long in battle, eventually all will tire from such antics.
Ravana was amused by his opponent’s seemingly lackluster fighting, and so he decided to go head on with Rama’s chariot. He string his bow and sent a shower of arrows at Rama. Even though it was tough work, Ravana sent thousands and thousands of arrows down on Rama.
Keeping his cool, Rama simply dodged Ravana’s arrows and shot them down with his own bow. He noticed how weary Ravana was becoming with all of these attacks, and Rama could feel the time to attack was nearing. Rama answered his opponent’s war cries by asking “is this all you can do? When will the real fighting begin?”
Angered, Ravana decided to bring out his most powerful weapon: asthras. The “Danda” was capable of pursuing and pulverizing its target. The “Maya” created illusions and confused the enemy. These weapons were a challenge, but nothing that Rama couldn’t handle. He counter-attacked with his own “Gnana”, which gives wisdom and perception to its user.
Ravana continued to send out his powerful weapons, but over time his energy was exhausted – just as Rama had predicted. In a final effort to win the battle, Ravana began flinging rocks and iron at Rama. This only caused him to tire more quickly.
Rama pondered for a moment on what his enemy’s biggest weakness was, and decided it was lack of heart. He was so quick to rely on his strength that Ravana had forgotten to protect his heart. Rama sent his final asthra, the powerful “Brahmasthra”, right to the weak and exhausted heart of Ravana.
While all around him cheered on, Rama simply stated “slow and steady wins the battle, never rush that which should be approached with clear headedness and patience.”
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| Don't rush that which is best done over time. (Screenshot from this turtle video) |
* * *
Author's Note:
I chose to combine two stories into one - the battle between Rama and Ravana and the classic children's story of the Tortoise and the Hare. This is from the storytelling style "mash-up", where you combine two stories. I took the base of the tortoise and hare story, and put a Ramayana twist on it. The excerpt at the beginning of the post was the inspiration from the Ramayana to combine the two stories.Bibliography:
"The Ramayana: A Shortened Modern Prose Version of the Indian Epic" by Narayan (1972).
Source: Narayan's Ramayana.
"The Toroise and the Hare" by Aesop (1919).
Source: The Tortoise and the Hare
"The Toroise and the Hare" by Aesop (1919).
Source: The Tortoise and the Hare
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